Father Gregory Boyle, an American Jesuit priest and founder of Homeboy Industries, shares his transformative journey in gang intervention. He emphasizes the power of love and community in overcoming challenges, advocating for joy as a motivating force rather than admonition. Boyle discusses the importance of setting boundaries while remaining inclusive and compassionate. He delves into the evolving nature of spirituality, promoting a broader understanding of divinity rooted in kindness. Listeners are encouraged to embrace a mantra of ‘love no matter what’ in navigating difficult relationships.
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Homeboy Industries Origins
Homeboy Industries started in 1988 with a school and job programs for gang members in Los Angeles.
It has grown to offer various services, including 10 social enterprises and healing programs.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Handling Stress
Stay present and find delight in those around you to manage stress.
Put death in its place so it doesn't control you, while still acknowledging grief.
insights INSIGHT
Power of Self-Discovery
Discovering your true self through love creates an internal freedom stronger than death.
Focus on things more powerful than death and fates worse than not knowing yourself.
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In 'Barking to the Choir', Gregory Boyle shares stories from his decades of work with gang members, highlighting the transformative power of compassion and kinship. The book offers a glimpse into the lives of those on the margins, showcasing how unconditional love can change lives. Through his experiences at Homeboy Industries, Boyle invites readers to find common ground and recognize the inherent goodness in everyone.
Tattoos on the Heart
The Power of Boundless Compassion
Gregory Boyle
In 'Tattoos on the Heart', Father Gregory Boyle shares his experiences and insights from thirty years of working with gang members in Los Angeles. The book is a collection of parables that highlight the importance of kinship, redemption, and boundless compassion. Boyle founded Homeboy Industries, a gang-intervention, rehabilitation, and reentry program, and his stories reflect his commitment to helping young people escape gang life and find a path to self-respect and dignity. The book emphasizes the power of unconditional love, faith, and the importance of treating all individuals with respect and kindness, regardless of their background[1][3][5].
The Whole Language
The Power of Extravagant Tenderness
Gregory Boyle
In 'The Whole Language', Gregory Boyle shares stories of transformation and healing from his work at Homeboy Industries, highlighting the power of compassion and inclusivity. The book challenges conventional morality and justice, offering a hopeful perspective on community and redemption. Through personal narratives, Boyle illustrates the impact of tenderness and radical acceptance in overcoming systemic poverty and violence.
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We deal with difficult people over holiday meals, at work, and online. This guest says there is only one answer.
Father Gregory Boyle is an American Jesuit priest and the founder of Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles, the largest gang-intervention, rehabilitation, and reentry program in the world. He has received the California Peace Prize and been inducted into the California Hall of Fame. In 2014, the White House named Boyle a Champion of Change. He received the University of Notre Dame’s 2017 Laetare Medal, the oldest honor given to American Catholics. He is the author of The Whole Language, Tattoos on the Heart, and Barking to the Choir.
In this episode we talk about:
How Homeboy Industries began 34 years ago
Boyle’s practices for working with stress
What he means when he says you have to put death in its place
Motivating people through joy rather than admonition
How to catch ourselves when we’re about to demonize or be judgmental
How to set boundaries
How to dole out consequences without closing the doors to anybody
And, Father Boyle’s expansive and inclusive notion of God
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