Action Jackson: Happiness, Belonging and the Neuroscience of Connection

What happens to human beings when they stop feeling that they belong, matter, or have agency over their lives?

In this episode of The Kitchen Table, we are joined by Jackson Ogunyemi, better known as Action Jackson. Jackson is an international keynote speaker, educator, mentor, author, and the self-described UK ambassador for happiness. We explore his journey from falling into depression to reclaiming his joy, the neuroscience behind human connection, and why we must move from a culture of performing well-being to truly experiencing it.

What You’ll Discover

- The Performance of Happiness: Why modern culture rewards us for showcasing our lives rather than truly connecting, and how this leads to emotional dysregulation.

- Connect Before You Correct: How building genuine, long-term relationships with young people creates the safety needed for them to accept guidance and embrace failure.

- Reclaiming Your Joy: A look into Jackson's SMILE framework and why giving yourself permission to pause and replenish is essential for sustainable leadership.

Jackson’s powerful reminder is that unconditional love is not just a soft concept, but a neurological necessity for human beings to thrive. In a world that often feels increasingly divided and exhausting, this conversation offers a hopeful, practical vision for bringing joy, presence, and genuine connection back into our schools and homes.

Connect with Phil Banks

thebelongingcollective.blog.

Connect with Mohamed Abdallah

Substack.

Connect with Danielle Lewis-Egonu

Substack.

The Kitchen Table are grateful to our sponsors Magma Maths, Zen Educate, St Christophers Trust, Cygnus Ambition Foundation, The Reach Foundation and it is produced by Urban Podcasts.