LIGHT Impact

Welcome back to LIGHT Impact! Nick Esayian sits down with Paul Quessenberry, Naval Academy graduate, U.S. Marine Corps veteran, and former NFL tight end with the New England Patriots and Houston Texans. Paul followed in his father’s footsteps to the Naval Academy, where he played four seasons at defensive end for Navy. After graduating in 2015 and getting a tryout with the Texans, he commissioned...

Welcome back to LIGHT Impact! Nick Esayian sits down with Kristen Kuliga, a sports agent with more than 20 years in the sports and entertainment industry and one of the most accomplished women in the business. Kristen got her start at Woolf Associates, where she met Heisman Trophy winner Doug Flutie. Flutie became her first NFL client, and Kristen became the first woman to negotiate a starting NFL...

In this episode, we sit down with Jonathan Carone, creator of Healthy Sports Parents, a podcast and platform helping parents guide their kids through youth sports in healthy ways. With more than 20 years of experience across youth sports, from rec leagues to NCAA Division I, plus a background in sport management, coaching, and student ministry, Jonathan brings a rare mix of perspective to the conv...

Welcome to Season 3 of LIGHT Impact! Season 3 kicks off with Nick Esayian sitting down with Tyler Renard, Regional Sales Manager at LIGHT Helmets and a guy who has seen the equipment room from just about every angle there is. Tyler got his start as a student manager for the football program at the University of Arkansas while earning his degree in sports management. From there it was an equipment...

In this episode of LIGHT Impact, we sit down with Joe Rafter — the man who took on the California legislature and won. A lifelong youth football advocate and former coach, Joe earned the nickname "one-man army" after leading the charge to defeat Proposition AB 1, a bill that would have banned youth football across the entire state of California. Refusing to let the sport he loves be stri...

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Arthur J. Ting, a world-class orthopaedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist from Fremont, CA. Dr. Ting has built a highly accredited reputation for his innovative approach to the science of sports medicine and recovery and has been fortunate enough to work with some of the biggest names and teams in sports, such as Tiger Woods, Joe Montana, Barry Bonds, a...

In this episode we welcome two SDSU playmakers, Deshawn McCuin and Joe Borjon! Both are LIGHT ambassadors, huge advocates for player development, and passionate for the game.  We dive into their journeys as student-athletes, the impact of mentorship on and off the field, and how the NIL landscape is shaping the future of college football. From locker room culture to personal growth, Deshawn and Jo...

In this episode of LIGHT Impact, we sit down with NFL Journeyman and 14-year QB, Drew Stanton. Drew shares his extensive football journey; from Friday night lights, to leading the Michigan State Spartans, to playing for multiple teams in the NFL, and then ultimately passing the torch on and coaching his son's youth football team. Nick and him discuss youth sports, advice to new football paren...

In this episode, we feature award-winning educator, best-selling author, and accomplished physician and neuroscientist Dr. Peter Cummings! Dr. Cummings and Nick dive deep into the relationship between football and brain health, and some of the misinformation behind concussions and how many people mistreat head injuries. Dr. Cummings has led huge advancements in concussion research and is a key adv...

In this episode, we welcome accomplished entrepreneur and former Navy Seal, Ryan Williams. Ryan has built a remarkable track record as a business owner, founding multiple 7-8 figure companies in the e-commerce and apparel sectors. His journey began in the military, where he served as a Navy SEAL and met his current co-hosts of the trending Liberty Risk podcast. Ryan’s story exemplifies how shaping...

In this episode, we sit down with Ryan Kalil, the NFL Pro Bowl center and 2x national champion. Ryan and Nick get into youth sports, Ryan's upbringing with a father in the NFL, his time at USC, and his career as a film and television producer alongside A-list Hollywood names such as Will Ferrell. Ryan provides insights into how he became successful as a collegiate and NFL center, and the mind...

In this episode, we sit down with UFL, USFL, and Sacramento State WR Isiah Hennie. Isiah shares the pivotal decisions that have helped define his journey to professional football. Nick and Isiah discuss how crucial it is to seize each opportunity and stay grounded during times of stress such as the COVID year and the NFL draft. Plus, Isiah dives deep how he and is brother, Terrell Burgess (NO Sain...

In this episode, we sit down with three-time Super Bowl Champion and former New England Patriot Lonie Paxton. From his early days to the NFL’s biggest stages, Lonie shares the pivotal decisions that shaped his career and the moments that defined his journey. We talk about the power of showing up, seizing opportunity, life after football, and the role of friends and family through it all. Plus, he...

In this episode, we sit down with Danielle Martin — professional athlete, mindset and performance coach, entrepreneur, and mother to elite-level athletes. Drawing from her personal journey through adversity and her experience guiding top-tier competitors, Danielle offers powerful insights on today’s youth sports landscape. We explore the challenges of NIL deals, the transfer portal, the pros and c...

In this episode of LIGHT Impact, we welcome Steve Famiano, a representative from Save Youth Football California, as our guest. Steve shares his insights on the proposed bill that aimed to ban youth football in California and how they successfully fought against it. Steve talks about the importance of youth football in California and how it helps kids develop not only their athletic skills but also...

In this episode of our podcast, we sit down with Andre "Bo" Bosier, a recon Marine veteran and current team manager of the San Diego Legion rugby team. Bo shares his inspiring journey from his military service to becoming a vital member of the San Diego community. We discuss the challenges he faced during his time in the Marines, including his experience serving in Iraq and Afghanistan....

Welcome to the LIGHT Impact podcast, where we bring you inspiring conversations with thought leaders and change-makers who are making an impact on the world. In this episode, we're joined by Abed Abusaleh, the CEO of Havas Edge, a leading performance marketing agency. Abed has been at the forefront of the advertising industry for over two decades and has a wealth of experience and insights to...

Welcome to another episode of the LIGHT Impact podcast! In this episode, we are joined by a very special guest, NFL kicker John Carney. John is a former NFL kicker with over 23 years of experience playing professional football. He has played for teams like the San Diego Chargers, New Orleans Saints, and New York Giants. In this episode, we'll be discussing John's journey as a professiona...

Welcome to the LIGHT Impact Podcast, where we explore the stories and experiences of individuals who are making a positive impact in the world. In this episode, we are joined by Luke Shaffer, an entrepreneur and military veteran who shares his unique perspective on leadership, perseverance, and service. Luke's journey has taken him from serving in the United States Marine Corps to founding hi...

In this episode, we sit down with former NFL quarterback Jeff Garcia, a four-time Pro Bowler and Grey Cup champion, to discuss his journey on and off the field. Jeff shares his experience growing up in a football family and his path to becoming a successful quarterback in both the NFL and CFL. In addition to his accomplishments as a player, Jeff has also made a significant impact as a mentor and c...

In this episode of LIGHT Impact, we are thrilled to welcome football legend Rick Mirer as our special guest. Mirer is a former quarterback who played in the NFL for 12 seasons and was selected as the second overall pick in the 1993 NFL Draft. During our interview, we'll dive into Mirer's illustrious career, discussing his time at the University of Notre Dame and his experience in the NFL...

Dr. Shawn Evans, a twenty-year trauma specialist, at Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla, CA, speaks with LIGHT CEO, Nick Esayian, about a wide range of issues from concussions, helmet technology, the NFL protocol, and more.  Dr. Evans has managed thousands of concussions, including severe head and spinal injuries, the importance of optimizing cranial protection, and the survival of contact spor...

John Sarkisian, serial entrepreneur, Founder of SKLZ, athlete, and investor in LIGHT Helmets talks about the secrets to success and his view of the football helmet space through the lens of someone that has been in the sports equipment market for years.  Sarkisian also talks of his own life-threatening head injury, recovery, and the importance of advancing technology in the space. THINGS YOU NEED...

Jordan Palmer, NFL QB, entrepreneur, Director of QB Development at the XFL, QB coach of Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, Sam Darnold, and a host of others at his company, QB Summit, is interviewed by LIGHT Helmets CEO, Nick Esayian.  They discuss Jordan's career, family, pro football,  helmets/head injury, Jordan's exploits, what it takes to succeed, confidence, fatherhood, and life.   Don't...

Football season is upon us and this sport is more than a game.  LIGHT Helmets CEO, Nick Esayian, gives some insight, thanks, and introspection on America's greatest sport.  A must-hear for every player, parent, coach, administrator, official, or fan...  THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW =============================== LIGHT Helmets is disrupting the industry by using advanced materials and technologies...