Part 1: Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, with Sarah Patschke, LCSW

In this episode, Amanda Jones sits down with licensed clinical social worker Sarah Patschke, LCSW, to explore how Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs shows up in real life — especially for college students navigating stress, sleep deprivation, and unstable routines.

 

They discuss how foundational needs like sleep, nutrition, physical safety, and reproductive health directly influence mental health, academic performance, and emotional resilience. Sarah shares frontline experiences from her work in university counseling and integrated health, including stories of student-athletes struggling with inadequate calorie intake and students relying on campus food pantries to meet basic needs.

 

The conversation explores how physiological and safety needs form the base of mental well-being, and why issues like chronic stress, food insecurity, and lack of sleep can make it difficult to focus, regulate emotions, or pursue higher goals.

 

Amanda and Sarah also discuss:

 

• How Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs applies to modern life
• The connection between unmet basic needs and anxiety or depression
• How early life instability and foster care shape a person’s sense of safety
• Practical tools like cognitive behavioral techniques and small routine shifts that help restore stability

 

 

This episode is Part 1 of a two-part series on Maslow’s hierarchy. In Part 2, they move up the pyramid and explore belonging, self-esteem, and self-actualization — along with practical ways individuals and communities can support these needs.

 

Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their own foundational needs and revisit the classic Maslow framework (link below) as well as check out the Hidden Brain episode referenced in the conversation (Episode 65 “Tunnel Vision”)

 

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/60/Maslow%27s_Hierarchy_of_Needs.svg