What Humans Actually Need

Every species we care for, we design conditions for — except the one doing all the designing. This episode introduces the Ten Areas of Human Need(s) framework: the observable, shared needs that govern human functioning across two dimensions — Body and Being — organized by five parallel rhythms: Nourish, Rest, Exercise, Maintain, Eliminate. Rachel makes the case that the underlying structure of human need is consistent across all the variation of culture, circumstance, and individual difference, and that work is never a neutral actor in whether those needs get met. The episode closes on a precise and achievable standard: employers don't need to provide everything — they need to make sure the workplace and workload do not block access to what people need to function. Topics covered: Why every other species gets careful habitat design — and humans don't Body and Being as two dimensions of one system The five rhythms and what they mean across both dimensions How physical and psychological depletion compound each other The standard: not blocking access to what people need to function The Conditions That Work is produced by The Workplace WellBeing Co. and Broadbeam Media in Asheville, NC. To learn more visit: https://workplacewellbeing.info/