Episode 3. The Dangers Of Toxic Positivity

"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 can become emotional censorship—and why that’s not wellness, it’s denial with a company logo. April shares stories from the field, insights from psychology, and even her own grief journey to make one thing clear: suppressing emotions at work doesn’t build culture—it kills it. You’ll hear the real consequences of silencing employees and the quiet harm of “cheerfulness as policy.” And of course, she offers a practical playbook for leaders and employees alike—because fixing this starts with giving people permission to be real. If your workplace vibes feel more like a stage play than a safe space, this episode is for you.