54. April Simpkins - Chief HR Officer + Mental Health Advocate
Release Date: 08/09/2023
10. Courageous Solo Travel (for Women)
Courageous Dreamers Win
Solo travel can be one of the most radical ways a woman learns to trust herself, hear herself, and build a life that actually fits. In this episode, Nesha Pai shares how a solo trip to Paris turned into part-time living, and why she believes every woman should try traveling alone at least once. She talks about the years of intentional choices that made this possible, from starting her own business to setting aside $25 at a time for a travel fund. None of it happened overnight. But over time, it added up to something bigger: a life designed with purpose. What happens when you give...
info_outline
09. The Proximity Effect
Courageous Dreamers Win
Your growth will never outpace your environment. In this episode, Nesha Pai breaks down why proximity is power, and how the people you spend time with are quietly shaping your mindset, energy, and success. If you’ve ever felt stuck, uninspired, or like your dreams are “too much” for the people around you, it might be time to audit your circle. From redefining her own champion circle to building a business rooted in aligned relationships, Nesha shares personal stories and practical steps for finding the right rooms and protecting your energy. You’ll learn how to shift your...
info_outline
08. The Alchemy of Clarity
Courageous Dreamers Win
Clarity isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about finally hearing the truth that’s been waiting inside you. What if the fog you keep running into isn’t a barrier, but an invitation? In this episode, Nesha Pai sits down with Emily Paul, the founder of Aum Holistic Healing Arts, to talk about what it really means to come home to yourself. Through her work rooted in Daoism, alchemy, and intuitive guidance, Emily helps people reconnect with their purpose, not by chasing something outside themselves, but by learning to listen inward. Nesha and Emily discuss how clarity...
info_outline
07. Build Your Courage Through Fear
Courageous Dreamers Win
Confidence doesn’t come first. You earn it by doing the things that scare you. Fear has a way of showing up right before something meaningful. So how do you move forward when it feels safer to stay still? In this episode, Nesha Pai talks about the power of courage and why doing the hard, scary things is the only way to build real confidence. Through stories of joining an MMA gym, performing in a dance competition, and traveling solo, she shares how pushing past fear changed her from the inside out. You’ll learn simple ways to take action, even when your nerves tell you not...
info_outline
06. SELF-LOVE Isn’t Selfish
Courageous Dreamers Win
Self-love isn’t a luxury or a trend. It’s a daily decision to treat yourself with the same kindness you offer everyone else. In this episode, Nesha Pai breaks down what self-love truly means and why it’s central to living a fulfilling life. She reflects on her own upbringing in East Tennessee, where societal pressures made self-acceptance difficult, and shares how learning to turn inward with grace and honesty changed everything. Nesha challenges the idea that self-love is about bubble baths and affirmations. Instead, she reframes it as an ongoing practice built on how we think,...
info_outline
05. Getting LIT with Dr. Jeff Karp
Courageous Dreamers Win
Your mind is your most powerful tool. Nesha Pai welcomes Dr. Jeff Karp, a Harvard Medical School professor and author of “LIT: Life Ignition Tools,” to talk about how small, intentional shifts can spark creativity, resilience, and meaningful change. The key to a more fulfilling life isn’t about doing more, but about thinking differently. Dr. Karp explains how simple daily choices—setting an intention, embracing failure, and staying present—can open doors to unexpected growth. He reflects on his own struggles with learning and self-doubt, revealing how they shaped his...
info_outline
04. Make Gratitude A Habit
Courageous Dreamers Win
Gratitude shapes the way we see our challenges, our progress, and the road ahead. But how often do we actually pause and acknowledge how far we’ve come? Nesha Pai explores how gratitude and self-reflection can shift your mindset and help you find meaning in both the highs and the lows. She reminds us that gratitude isn’t reserved for big wins. It’s found in the small, everyday moments that often go unnoticed. What if paying attention to those moments could change the way you experience life? Self-reflection plays a key role in this process, offering a chance to recognize growth, learn...
info_outline
03. How My Part Time Paris Living Dream Became A Reality
Courageous Dreamers Win
Most people think long-term travel is out of reach, but what if the biggest obstacle is just figuring out how to make it happen? Nesha Pai always dreamed of living in Paris, but for years, life got in the way—work, family, responsibilities. Sound familiar? In this episode, she shares how she stopped waiting for the perfect time and started creating a plan. She breaks down the practical steps that turned her three-month stay in Paris into reality, from building a remote business to shifting financial priorities and setting a clear budget. Nesha also introduces the dream map, a tool designed...
info_outline
02. Put Your Dreams Into Action
Courageous Dreamers Win
Most people dream, but only a few take the bold, consistent actions needed to turn those dreams into reality. Are you ready to be one of them? Nesha Pai is indeed back, and in this episode, she talks about the foundational elements that help transform dreams into success. She breaks it down into four key pillars: courage, clarity, commitment, and champions. Courage drives action, clarity provides the roadmap, commitment ensures steady progress, and champions offer essential support along the way. Pointing out that only 8% of people achieve their dreams, Nesha showcases the power of intentional...
info_outline
01. How Do Courageous Dreamers Win?
Courageous Dreamers Win
Dreaming big isn’t easy, but with courage, clarity, commitment, and champions, it’s always possible. In this first episode of Courageous Dreamers Win, Nesha Pai opens up about the resilience required to chase a clear life vision, even when life throws its hardest challenges. Reflecting on her journey through personal loss, illness, and rebranding her podcast, Nesha points out how staying committed to your dreams can turn even the toughest storms into stepping stones. Nesha introduces four essential pillars—clarity, courage, commitment, and champions—that can help you build the life you...
info_outlineApril Simpkins, Chief Human Resources Officer for Quest Co, is on a mission to break the stigma surrounding mental illness and promote mental wellness in the workplace. Following the passing of her beloved daughter, Cheslie Kryst, Miss USA 2019, who battled depression for years, April has since dedicated her life to advocating for mental health.
With unwavering conviction, she calls for the normalization of conversations about mental health in the workplace, urging employers to create a safe haven for employees to openly express their struggles without fear of judgment or stigma. From interviews to onboarding, April advocates for open discussions about mental wellness and the importance of utilizing resources like the Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
With each word she shares, April's mission gains momentum. She dreams of a world where kindness and empathy reign, where seeking help for mental health challenges is met with understanding and support. By bravely championing mental wellness, April ignites a spark of hope that together, we can shatter barriers and embrace a brighter, more compassionate future.
Let us join her in this crusade, breaking the silence and forging a path where mental well-being is valued, and empathy becomes a universal language. As April's voice resonates, we are reminded that compassion can heal unseen wounds, and together, we can build a world where seeking help is seen as an act of courage and strength.
Quotes:
-
"We should be able to talk about our mental health like we talk about other challenges we are facing and not be judged, ridiculed, shamed, or blamed." (04:18 | April Simpkins)
-
"When someone is battling with bipolar disorder and they say, 'Listen, if I'm having a bad moment, this is what I need from my employer,' you taking space to give them that room as an employer will build loyalty and an environment where people feel safe saying, 'I'm not okay today.'" (08:57 | April Simpkins)
-
"When someone says, 'How are you doing?' Let it be a trigger for you to go back to your own chart and say, 'I'm a six, that for me means I'm not doing great, but I'm not in a bad place, and I know what to do.'" (19:38 | April Simpkins)
-
"I want people to feel comfortable seeking help and support for mental health challenges and mental illness." (24:11 | April Simpkins)
Connect with April Simpkins:
https://www.aprilsimpkins.com/mental-health-advocate
https://www.instagram.com/aprils_hr/
https://www.thedeanslist.me/award
Connect with Nesha:
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/neshapai/
Youtube | https://www.youtube.com/@neshapai1480/videos
Buy a copy of Nesha's book, Overcoming Ordinary Obstacles: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1943070741?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_KEGQ1539QQ5N8Z8XHRNC
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm