Once Upon a Shine

Jess Lomas | Illuminate
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Once Upon a Shine is a podcast for younger generations - and the younger selves still inside all of us. ✨ Through real stories and honest conversations, we explore the moments, chapters, characters and plot twists that shape us - and the things we wish we’d known sooner. It’s about self-belief, confidence, kindness and finding your own way without comparing your light to anyone else’s. Guests share what they’d tell their younger self if they could go back in time and help them shine - passing that light forward, because the right story at the right time can make a difference. 💫

Episodes

  1. 6d ago

    Chapter 3: Lauren Drummond - The Story Behind the Characters ✨

    In this chapter of Once Upon a Shine®, I’m joined by actress Lauren Drummond. You may recognise Lauren as Mika Grainger in Waterloo Road or Chantelle Lane in Holby City. Her career spans over 20 years, with appearances in dramas including The Royal, Silent Witness and DI Ray, and a new BBC drama coming in 2027. Having spent so much of her career bringing other people’s stories to life, Lauren joins me to share some of her own, reflecting on the experiences that have shaped her and the lessons she wants to pass on. A conversation about the person behind the characters, with messages for younger generations, those raising and supporting them, and the younger selves within us all.

  2. Oct 25

    Dream BIG…or small ✨

    In this episode of Once Upon a Shine®, I reflect on the pressure to dream big, build a business, make millions and constantly chase the next goal. I’m a big believer in following your dreams and reaching for the stars. But everyone’s dream looks different. Yours might be a small home, a close circle of friends, doing work you enjoy or simply feeling at peace with your life. There is so much value in that. A reminder to ask yourself what you actually want, beyond what the world tells you success should look like. Because your dream is personal to you. And no dream is too small if it’s yours. 💫

  3. Oct 20

    Guest Chapter: Richard Wilson | The Kingston Club ✨

    In this chapter of Once Upon a Shine®, I’m joined by Richard Wilson, founder of The Kingston Club and an expert in the health and fitness industry. Richard is passionate about helping people improve their physical and mental wellbeing through health, fitness and social connection. He also shares his own story, reflecting on difficult school experiences and how they have shaped the person he is today, his outlook on life and his passion for helping others. An honest conversation about the experiences we carry with us, the importance of connection and what we can pass on to younger generations - and the younger selves within us all. Over to the man himself…

  4. Oct 19

    Be Kind… No, Really! ✨

    We hear “be kind” all the time… but what does it really mean? In this chapter of Once Upon a Shine®, I explore why kindness isn’t weakness, how being kind is different from being “too nice”, and why you can care about others while still having boundaries. From bullying to everyday choices, this is a reminder that our words and actions matter - and that kindness includes how we treat ourselves, too. ✨

  5. Oct 8

    Comparison is the thief of Joy! ✨

    Have you ever found yourself scrolling through social media, looking at someone else’s life and suddenly feeling like yours isn’t quite enough? In this chapter of Once Upon a Shine®, we’re talking about comparison, how easily it can creep into our lives, and why what we see online is rarely the full story. From confidence and self-worth to the pressure to keep up with everyone else, this is a little reminder that we’re all living different chapters, on different timelines. Because comparison doesn’t just steal our joy - it steals our time, our confidence and the ability to recognise just how brightly we’re already shining. You were never supposed to shine like anybody else. ✨

  6. Oct 5

    Guest Chapter: Rachel | roobarbcreative ✨

    In this chapter of Once Upon a Shine®, I’m joined by Rachel, founder of roobarbcreative and an expert in all things digital marketing. Rachel has spent more than 15 years working in marketing, helping businesses bring their brands to life through strategy, branding, websites, social media and content. Rachel also played a special part in my own story, helping me bring the Illuminate brand and everything I had in my head to life - so it felt only right that she should be the very first guest. Her own career hasn’t followed a straight line either. We chat about confidence, building a business, the bumps in the road, navigating comparison and putting yourself out there in a world that can sometimes feel very noisy. A relaxed, honest conversation with plenty of laughs and some lovely messages for younger generations - and the younger selves within us all. ✨

  7. Oct 5

    Happiness is a journey 💫

    What if happiness isn’t something we need to find? ✨ In this chapter, we explore what really makes us happy - from the difference between hedonic and eudaimonic happiness, to why we can find ourselves constantly chasing the next thing and thinking, “I’ll be happy when…” Because happiness isn’t about feeling happy 24/7. It’s about knowing yourself, appreciating what you already have, and discovering the things that help you find your shine again. Happiness is a journey, not a destination. 💫

  8. Oct 4

    Chapter One: My Story So Far… ✨

    In this first chapter, I’m taking you back to where my story began… ✨ I share a little about my background, the career I’ve had and some of the chapters that have shaped who I am and led me to where I am today. From always being fascinated by people, to working in customer service, leadership, learning and development and coaching, I talk about what I’ve learned along the way - and why I became so passionate about helping younger generations build their confidence, self-belief and understanding of themselves earlier in life. Because our stories aren’t always a straight line. Every chapter teaches us something, shapes us in some way, and sometimes leads us somewhere we never expected. ✨ This is my story so far…

  9. Trailer

    The Story Begins… ✨ | Why Once Upon a Shine

    Every story has a first chapter… and this is where Once Upon a Shine begins. ✨ In this short introduction, I share the why behind Once Upon a Shine - why it was created, who it’s for and what I hope it can become. A podcast built around real stories, honest conversations and the things we sometimes wish we’d known sooner. If something shared here helps even one person believe in themselves a little more, find some hope or remember their own shine, then it’s done what I hoped it would. Welcome to Once Upon a Shine. ✨ The first chapter starts here.

  • 1 Trailer
    8 Episodes

Trailer

About

Once Upon a Shine is a podcast for younger generations - and the younger selves still inside all of us. ✨ Through real stories and honest conversations, we explore the moments, chapters, characters and plot twists that shape us - and the things we wish we’d known sooner. It’s about self-belief, confidence, kindness and finding your own way without comparing your light to anyone else’s. Guests share what they’d tell their younger self if they could go back in time and help them shine - passing that light forward, because the right story at the right time can make a difference. 💫

Information

  • Creator
    Jess Lomas | Illuminate
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    9
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Jess Lomas | Illuminate
  • Show Website
    Once Upon a Shine