Dr. Frank Anderson shares the science of healing and how it connects to the Homeboy way of kinship.

Dr. Frank Anderson, a Harvard-trained psychiatrist, trauma expert, and best-selling author, breaks down the science and spirituality of trauma healing and how it connects to the work of Homeboy Industries. We discuss why trauma is externally defined while PTSD is a personal response, the difference between single-event trauma and complex trauma, and how healing requires corrective experiences, community, and patience, and why forgiveness should follow healing, not precede it.

Dr. Anderson shares why spirituality (not organized religion) is vital for healing, why premature forgiveness can be harmful, and how leaders themselves must confront their own trauma to create workplaces where people thrive. Together, we explore how Homeboy Industries is modeling a trauma-informed approach to community transformation, and why this model can ripple into corporate spaces, executive leadership, and beyond.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The neuroscience of trauma and why love is the most powerful healing agent.

• Why forgiveness should follow healing, not precede it.

• How both victim and perpetrator roles live inside us, and why acknowledging this duality is essential.

• How trauma-informed workplaces increase productivity, belonging, and engagement.

• Why Homeboy Industries’ holistic approach offers a blueprint for rethinking therapy, reentry, and leadership.

In This Episode:

• 00:00 – Introduction

• 00:39 – Why trauma is at the center of healing

• 02:27 – Dr. Anderson’s journey from psychiatrist to healer

• 06:42 – What is trauma, really?

• 08:47 – Understanding complex trauma

• 11:41 – Why mental health therapy works and when it doesn’t

• 14:47 – The power of positive regard and compassion

• 16:09 – The role of forgiveness in healing

• 19:44 – How to release pain and rewire the brain

• 22:58 – Love and connection as tools for recovery

• 25:59 – How Dr. Anderson connected with Homeboy

• 28:09 – Why spirituality matters in healing

• 33:18 – Trauma in leadership and corporate life

• 37:23 – How love transcends fear and violence

• 39:30 – Final reflections

Notable Quotes

• "Trauma blocks who we are. And so a lot of clearing and healing in order to be able to kind of step into that position." — Frank Anderson (06:32)

• "Complex trauma is relational trauma. It's trauma that happens relationally." — Frank Anderson (08:47)

• "The mental health field has this: you're bad, you're broken. You need to be fixed mentality." — Frank Anderson (13:35)

• "Trauma blocks love, Love heals trauma." — Frank Anderson (23:14)

• "Love supersedes violence and fear. It's gotta be elevated because trauma is about fear and being violated." — Frank Anderson (37:23)

Resources and Links

Homeboy Industries

• https://homeboyindustries.org/

• https://www.youtube.com/@HomeboyIndustries_LA/videos

• Donate: https://homeboyindustries.org/donate/donate-online/

Homeboy Media 

• https://homeboyindustries.org/social-enterprises/homeboy-media/

Frank Anderson, MD

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/frank-anderson-654b1836/

• https://www.frankandersonmd.com/

Thomas Vozzo

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasvozzo

• The Homeboy Way: A Radical Approach to Business and Life: https://www.amazon.com/Homeboy-Way-Radical-Approach-Business/dp/082945456X

Credits:

Hosted by: Tom Vozzo

Produced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media.