In this unscripted, heartfelt episode of Diversity Conversations, Eric Ellis and Tommie Lewis follow the conversation where it naturally leads: toward faith, peace, leadership, and the power of simplicity.

Eric shares how a daily devotional practice helped calm anxiety and bring him back to the blessing of today. Tommie reflects on what it means to walk in faith without being consumed by worry, and how peace can become an ongoing miracle when you stop feeding negativity.

At the center of the episode is a powerful metaphor: “the two white socks.” Sometimes the instruction is simple, even almost too simple to believe. But the message is clear: don’t overcomplicate what God is trying to do through you. In a world addicted to noise and complexity, real leadership often looks like humility, reflection, and choosing love.

They also discuss miracles as lived experience, the tension between spiritual aspiration and human imperfection, and a closing insight that resonates deeply: the idea of “going viral internally,” when a revelation reverberates within you until it transforms how you live and lead.

If you’re looking for peace in the middle of the storm and clarity without a script, this conversation is for you.

🎧 Episode Chapters

00:00 – Welcome to Diversity Conversations
03:30 – Gratitude, Brotherhood, and Community
08:00 – Faith, Devotionals, and Finding Calm
13:30 – Imperfection, Worry, and Walking in Faith
18:45 – Miracles as Lived Experience
26:30 – Peace as an Ongoing Miracle
31:45 – The Two White Socks Principle
38:30 – Love as a Leadership Superpower
45:30 – Going Viral Internally
52:00 – Reflection, Character, and Personal Growth
58:30 – Closing Reflections and Invitation to the Community

About Eric Ellis

Eric Ellis is the President and CEO of Integrity Development Corporation and co-host of Diversity Conversations. He is a diversity, equity, and inclusion strategist and a community-centered leader committed to practical solutions for today’s most challenging conflicts.

About Tommie Lewis

Tommie Lewis is the President and CEO of Make It Plain Consulting and co-host of Diversity Conversations. He helps individuals and organizations uncover their inherent strengths for sustained growth and is known for asking the questions that move conversations from surface to substance.

About Diversity Conversations

Diversity Conversations is a weekly live dialogue exploring leadership solutions to today’s most challenging conflicts, hosted by Eric Ellis and Tommie Lewis.

leadership, real leadership, authentic leadership, faith, spirituality, peace, anxiety, purpose, integrity, self reflection, personal growth, emotional intelligence, resilience, miracles, devotionals, Jesus Calling, love, inclusion, belonging, diversity conversations, DEI, community, transformation, character, wisdom, unscripted conversation, simplicity

📅 New conversations every Saturday 9:30 AM EST
📩 Subscribe, share, and join us in moving diversity forward—one conversation at a time.

🌐 Watch more episodes on YouTube

In this episode of Diversity Conversations, hosts Eric Ellis and Tommie Lewis welcome Gerardo Macias, Independent Board Member and Partner at DHR Global, for a deeply human conversation on leadership, purpose, faith, and the power of connection.

Hosted by Eric Ellis, President & CEO of Integrity Development Corporation, and Tommie Lewis, President & CEO of Make It Plain Consulting.

From personal vulnerability and navigating uncertainty, to executive search, succession, and human-centered leadership, this episode explores how purpose evolves across seasons of life and work. Gerardo shares his journey from artist to executive talent advisor, the importance of mentorship, faith, and humility, and how connecting people to their purpose can transform organizations and communities.

This conversation touches on leadership beyond titles, the intersection of culture and business, global perspective, and why true impact begins with listening, transparency, and human connection.

Guest: Gerardo Macias
Independent Board Member | Partner at DHR Global
Founder & President, HR TRIBE A.C.

To connect with Gerardo, follow him on social media at @elheadhunter and visit dhrglobal.com

Leadership, Purpose, Human-Centered Leadership, Executive Search, Succession Planning, Faith and Leadership, Organizational Culture, Future of Work, Diversity Conversations, Mentorship, Global Leadership, Human Connection

📅 New conversations every Saturday 9:30 AM EST
📩 Subscribe, share, and join us in moving diversity forward—one conversation at a time.

🌐 Watch more episodes on YouTube

In this episode of Diversity Conversations, Eric Ellis and Tommie Lewis explore why some conversations feel so difficult, and how to approach them with clarity, calm, and courage.

They unpack real-world examples from business, leadership, and everyday life, including negotiating costs and value, managing financial decisions without shame, setting boundaries that can be enforced, and navigating communication breakdowns like interruptions and “20-minute monologues” disguised as dialogue.

This conversation is a reminder that difficult conversations become easier when we focus on facts, shared goals, respect, and personal accountability—especially in a world that profits from chaos.

Topics include:
• Money conversations: facts vs. emotions, shame, and self-worth
• Negotiation and value: paying for results, not promises
• Boundaries and respect: how to set them—and enforce them
• Communication breakdowns: interruptions, monologues, and listening
• Leadership, accountability, and protecting your peace

Follow and join us each week for thought-provoking dialogue and leadership solutions to today’s most challenging conflicts.

🏷️ Diversity Conversations, leadership, difficult conversations, courageous conversations, communication, negotiation, money conversations, boundaries, emotional intelligence, accountability, conflict resolution, DEI

📅 New conversations every Saturday 9:30 AM EST
📩 Subscribe, share, and join us in moving diversity forward—one conversation at a time.

🌐 Watch more episodes on YouTube