Part 2: Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, with Sarah Patschke, LCSW

This episode uses that image to show how basic needs — and missing ones — shape mental health.

Hosts Amanda Jones and guest Sarah Patschke continue the series on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, moving up from survival and safety into love and belonging, self‑esteem, and self‑actualization. They explore how connection, confidence, and purpose support well‑being and what happens when those needs go unmet.

The conversation covers scarcity and “tunnel vision” (from Hidden Brain), the public‑health effects of loneliness (exacerbated by COVID), and why multiple layers of social contact — close relationships, regular social interaction, and group belonging — protect mental health. They also talk about how friendships, community roles, and clear values can ease the pressure on a single relationship to meet all needs.

On esteem, Amanda and Sarah discuss imposter syndrome, perfectionism, and how control, criticism, and disrupted social learning after COVID can drive anxiety. Practical steps include checking and stabilizing foundational needs, doing introspective work to name values and strengths, finding supportive people, setting boundaries, asking for help, and using tools like CBT or counseling when needed.

The episode closes with a reminder that growth is gradual and nonlinear: self‑actualization is a process of becoming who you’re capable of being, and rebuilding connection, confidence, and meaning happens one step at a time.

Link to image of Maslow’s Hierarchy: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maslow%27s_hierarchy_of_needs#/media/File%3AMaslow's_Hierarchy_of_Needs_Pyramid_(original_five-level_model).png

Hidden Brain Episode 65: “Tunnel Vision” available wherever you listen to podcasts.