Joey Ray, (Joseph Raymond Lucero), never expected his life to take him from a California Youth Authority facility to a Hollywood film set. But a chance encounter with Father Greg Boyle in prison, and a program called Criminals and Gang Members Anonymous, set him on a path toward Homeboy Industries, sobriety, and eventually an acting career.
In this episode, Tom Vozzo sits down with Joey to explore the long road from prison to purpose. Joey reflects on how Criminals and Gang Members Anonymous helped him understand gang life as an addiction, why becoming a father gave him the courage to confront alcoholism, and how learning to love himself transformed every relationship in his life. He also shares the unexpected path that led him into acting, the lessons he's carried from Homeboy Industries, and why being transparent about his past has become one of his greatest strengths.
Together, they discuss redemption, recovery, and the power of radical kinship, revealing how lasting change begins when someone believes in you before you're able to believe in yourself.
[00:02] Introduction
[00:45] Joey makes amends to Tom
[02:19] Meeting Father Greg in prison
[03:28] What is CGA, and gang life as addiction
[07:37] Getting hired by Father Greg
[08:42] Moving to LA, becoming a father
[09:26] Early days at Homeboy in Boyle Heights
[11:13] Balancing two families, two cities
[11:38] Becoming a public speaker for Homeboy
[15:39] Continued struggles with alcohol
[16:36] The moment his son confronted him
[18:01] Learning to love himself
[22:25] Loss within the Homeboy community
[24:28] How he broke into acting
[26:22] Getting "discovered" on set
[29:02] What he loves about acting
[33:37] Being named Homeboy Hero at Lo Máximo
[36:26] Spirituality and faith
[39:20] What he's hopeful for
