As I Was Saying - with April Simpkins

Religion in the workplace is one of those topics leaders avoid until it becomes a problem. In this episode, April Simpkins breaks down religious accommodation, workplace culture, and the costly mistakes employers make when they get it wrong.

“Can you cover this for now?” Famous last words. In this episode, April breaks down why “for now” is one of the workplace’s most slippery little phrases, especially when leaders use it to patch a staffing problem with someone else’s bandwidth. We’re talking workload, burnout, overtime, fuzzy expectations, and the difference between asking for help and quietly handing someone a second job.  

Family and business don’t always mix as easily as Sunday dinner. In this episode, April unpacks the fine line between fairness and favoritism in family-run companies where loyalty, legacy, and leadership can collide. From legal gray areas to cultural consequences, she breaks down how favoritism (even when it’s not illegal) can still harm morale, trust, and retention. Whether you’re a leader, emplo...

In this episode, April Simpkins discusses the importance of self-advocacy in the workplace, particularly in relation to HR's role and mental health. She emphasizes that while HR is there to assist employees, they are not therapists and cannot guarantee confidentiality. The episode provides practical strategies for advocating for oneself, including understanding company policies, knowing legal righ...

In this episode, April Simpkins discusses the hidden challenges of remote work, including its impact on mental health, feelings of isolation, blurred work-life boundaries, and the physical strain of inadequate workspaces. She offers practical tips for both leaders and employees to foster better mental health and productivity in a remote work environment. The conversation emphasizes the importance...

Engagement isn’t a one-time spark—it’s a temperature that rises or falls based on what’s happening in the room. And just like a thermostat, someone’s always adjusting the dial. But here’s the real question: who’s in control? In this episode of As I Was Saying, April Simpkins explores the concept of workplace engagement, likening it to a thermostat that can be controlled through effective communica...

"Good vibes only" sounds harmless—until you're crying in a bathroom stall because you dared to have a human emotion on a Tuesday. In this episode of As I Was Saying, April Simpkins peels back the glittery facade of toxic positivity and reveals the emotional cost of workplaces where only smiles are welcome. From “just be grateful” to “fake it till you make it,” we explore how constant positivity ca...

What do you get when you're part therapist, part human Google, part vending machine whisperer—and fully burned out? You get the Go-To Person. And if that’s you… whew, let’s talk. In this episode of As I Was Saying, host April Simpkins pulls back the curtain on the unspoken emotional toll of being everyone’s everything at work. From the Rockstar employee who held it all together until she couldn’t,...

In the debut episode of As I Was Saying, host April Simpkins—Strategist, mental health advocate, and workplace truth-teller—shares why she launched this podcast and why mental health in the workplace is long overdue for an honest conversation.  Drawing from 35 years of experience and insights from thousands of employees and leaders, April explores how emotional strain shows up at work and why it’s...

Mental health at work is messy—and we don’t talk about it enough.   I’m April Simpkins, and on this solo podcast, we’re done with the silence. I’ve spent decades watching people try to smile through burnout. Showing up at work, saying “I’m fine” when behind the mask you are mentally spiraling. I break down the silent stressors of modern work and share practical tools to help you protect your peace...