Joe Loya
Former bank robber and memoirist whose experiences of childhood trauma, extensive bank robberies in the 1980s–90s, and long periods in solitary informed a later life as a writer and public speaker on violence, trauma, and redemption.
Best podcasts with Joe Loya
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20 snips
Dec 30, 2025 • 1h 8min
1264: Joe Loya | Confessions of a Bank Robber Part One
Joe Loya, a former bank robber and memoirist, shares his gripping journey from childhood trauma to a life of crime. He reveals how his father's brutality shaped his worldview and normalized violence. Bank robbery became a twisted therapy, offering him a false sense of control. Loya discusses the transformative power of solitary confinement, which forced him to confront his deep-seated rage. He candidly reflects on the dangerous lies he believed about himself and the importance of turning his dark past into a narrative of redemption.
13 snips
Jan 1, 2026 • 1h 8min
1265: Joe Loya | Confessions of a Bank Robber Part Two
In a compelling conversation, Joe Loya, a former bank robber turned author and speaker, dives into the depths of his turbulent past. He reveals how childhood trauma turned him into a criminal and how survival instincts dictated his chaotic bank heists. Joe emphasizes the power of compassion over forgiveness, particularly in reconciling with his abusive father. He shares harrowing tales from prison, the emotional armor he wore, and how writing became a pathway to healing. Ultimately, Joe reflects on redemption and the complexity of self-forgiveness.
