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American Potential is a national award-winning podcast that shares how individuals are taking action in their communities to break barriers. While some of our guests may be public officials or influencers, many are ordinary Americans who decided, “enough is enough,” and are stepping up in a big way.
We share policy solutions to the most important challenges our country faces and talk to people who are doing something about it. Our hope is that when you hear about other people’s stories of success – and struggle – you will realize that you are capable of doing extraordinary things within your own community and know that you are not alone.
David From, a Regional Vice President at Americans for Prosperity, hosts the American Potential podcast. David brings a wealth of experience in grassroots advocacy and a deep commitment to advancing freedom and opportunity for all Americans.
American Potential has earned multiple prestigious honors for its impact and excellence in storytelling:
Platinum Award at the 2024 Viddy Awards for the episode featuring Mike Rowe, recognized in the long-form podcast category.
Gold Award at the 18th Annual w3 Awards in the News and Politics Podcast category.
Award of Distinction at the 31st Annual Communicator Awards in the Individual Episodes – Political category for the episode “Eco-Regulation Gone Wrong: The Unintended Costs of Colorado’s Climate Laws.”
These awards—judged by experts from organizations like Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and the Smithsonian—highlight the podcast’s effectiveness in elevating compelling stories of freedom, innovation, and citizen-led change!
We share policy solutions to the most important challenges our country faces and talk to people who are doing something about it. Our hope is that when you hear about other people’s stories of success – and struggle – you will realize that you are capable of doing extraordinary things within your own community and know that you are not alone.
David From, a Regional Vice President at Americans for Prosperity, hosts the American Potential podcast. David brings a wealth of experience in grassroots advocacy and a deep commitment to advancing freedom and opportunity for all Americans.
American Potential has earned multiple prestigious honors for its impact and excellence in storytelling:
Platinum Award at the 2024 Viddy Awards for the episode featuring Mike Rowe, recognized in the long-form podcast category.
Gold Award at the 18th Annual w3 Awards in the News and Politics Podcast category.
Award of Distinction at the 31st Annual Communicator Awards in the Individual Episodes – Political category for the episode “Eco-Regulation Gone Wrong: The Unintended Costs of Colorado’s Climate Laws.”
These awards—judged by experts from organizations like Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and the Smithsonian—highlight the podcast’s effectiveness in elevating compelling stories of freedom, innovation, and citizen-led change!
402 Episodes
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In this episode of American Potential, host David From talks with Christie Black and Matt Black, Illinois homeschool parents who became grassroots leaders in the fight against a proposed state mandate that would have forced homeschooling families to register with the government—backed by fines and even jail time for parents who failed to comply. They explain why the proposal represented serious government overreach and how vague enforcement powers could have punished families over paperwork instead of protecting children.
Christie and Matt also describe how homeschool families across Illinois mobilized at an unprecedented scale, pushing back through testimony, witness slips, letters, and in-person advocacy at the state Capitol. Their story shows how ordinary parents, students, and communities can successfully stand up to government mandates and defend parental rights, educational freedom, and limited government.
In this episode of American Potential, host David From is joined by Elizabeth Patton, Americans for Prosperity–Kansas State Director, and JD Marmion, Americans for Prosperity–New Mexico Deputy State Director, for the next installment of 50 Stars, 50 Stories—spotlighting the states that joined the Union in January through a fast-paced trivia showdown.
After the fun, the conversation turns serious: Kansas efforts to lower energy costs, rein in state spending, and a major August constitutional amendment aimed at making the Kansas Supreme Court more transparent and accountable after an eye-opening reversal rate. JD shares what’s next in New Mexico after the Protect Prosperity tour, the fight against bad policies, and why restoring opportunity in the Land of Enchantment is a top priority for the year ahead.
In this episode of American Potential, host David From sits down with Brian Costin, Deputy State Director for Americans for Prosperity–Illinois, to talk about the power of citizen watchdogs and why transparency matters more than ever. From small-town library referendums to massive waste in local government spending, Brian shares how everyday residents can use tools like Freedom of Information Act requests and open meetings laws to expose misconduct and protect taxpayers.
The conversation highlights real-world examples from Illinois, including the impact of the Edgar County Watchdogs, an organization that has helped force hundreds of resignations by uncovering ethics violations. Brian also explains how curiosity, persistence, and new tools like AI are lowering the barrier for citizens who want to hold government accountable — proving that even a small group of people can make a big difference when they shine light on how public money is spent.
In this episode of American Potential, host David From speaks with John Spottiswood about a local ballot measure in Pelham, New Hampshire that unexpectedly banned livestock on properties under three acres. Because the town’s definition of livestock included animals like rabbits, goats, bees, horses, and alpacas, the ordinance affected families, pets, therapy animals, and small livelihoods—prompting fear, confusion, and frustration across the community.
John walks through how a small group of residents organized to push back, gathered personal stories, kept the issue in the public eye for a full year, and ultimately overturned the ban by a decisive margin in the next election. The conversation highlights the power of grassroots action, local organizing, and persistence in defending property rights and personal freedom at the community level.
In this episode of American Potential, host David From hits the road in Arizona with Mary Beth Cirucci, who has been traveling the country on Americans for Prosperity’s Road to Prosperity Tour. After visiting 11 states in 11 weeks, Mary Beth shares what she’s learned about America’s growing energy needs, the urgency created by AI and data growth, and why reliable energy sources like natural gas, coal, nuclear, and oil remain essential to keeping the lights on and costs down for families.
They discuss firsthand stories from coal mines, power plants, oil rigs, paper mills, and manufacturing facilities, highlighting how excessive permitting delays and costly regulations are blocking energy production and job creation.
From eight-to-twelve-year permitting timelines to $10 million mandates that deliver no environmental benefit, this conversation explains why permitting reform is critical to restoring common sense, strengthening the power grid, bringing manufacturing back to the U.S., and securing America’s energy future.
Fertilizer is essential to feeding America, and it all begins with natural gas. On this episode of American Potential, host David From sits down with Perry Babb, CEO of Keystate Energy, to explain how modern fertilizer is made, why energy policy directly affects food prices, and how the U.S. became dependent on foreign fertilizer despite abundant domestic resources. Perry breaks down the science behind ammonia and nitrogen fertilizer, the role of natural gas as a critical input, and why current supply chains leave American farmers exposed to global instability.
Perry also shares his entrepreneurial journey—from international humanitarian work to building large-scale energy and fertilizer projects—and explains why domestic production is key to U.S. food security, energy independence, and national security. As demand grows from data centers, AI, and advanced manufacturing, this conversation highlights how smarter energy policy and reduced red tape can lower costs, strengthen rural economies, and keep America competitive.
In the final episode of 2025, host David From is joined by the American Potential podcast team to reflect on a year of major transitions, memorable guests, and powerful stories from across the country. They discuss stepping into a new chapter for the show, how the team finds and tells “one small step” stories, and the moments that stood out most—from deep dives into government waste to the real-world impact of the working families tax cuts.
The conversation also highlights travel episodes like the eye-opening Yuma, Arizona border trip and its connection to America’s food supply, favorite interviews from the year, and what the team is most excited about heading into 2026 as the nation approaches America’s 250th anniversary.
As America heads into an AI-driven future, energy demand, innovation, and economic competitiveness are all colliding. In this episode of American Potential, host David From talks with Kent Strang, Managing Director at Americans for Prosperity, about the major policy wins of 2025 and what’s coming next.
They break down the passage of the working families tax cuts, why grassroots advocacy made the difference, and how cutting red tape through permitting reform is essential to lowering energy costs and powering data centers needed for AI. The conversation also covers border security improvements, state-level regulatory reforms, education freedom victories, and why unleashing American energy is a national security and economic priority as the country approaches its 250th anniversary.
On this episode of American Potential, host David From is joined by John Vick, Executive Director of Concerned Veterans for America, for a year-end conversation focused on restoring Congress’s constitutional role in decisions of war and peace.
John explains why repealing outdated Authorizations for Use of Military Force—passed in the wake of 9/11 with no sunset clauses—is essential to reestablishing accountability and preventing endless, open-ended conflicts. With most of the lawmakers who approved those authorizations no longer in office, the episode highlights growing bipartisan agreement that Congress must reclaim its responsibility when Americans are sent into harm’s way.
The discussion also covers CVA’s major work this year, including advancing the Veterans Access Act to improve timely health care for veterans, and how grassroots advocacy helped drive real policy change. John shares what’s ahead for CVA in 2026 as the organization continues empowering veterans and citizens nationwide to engage in the democratic process.
As 2026 approaches, host David From continues a year-end series with leaders across the Stand Together community—looking back at key wins from the past year and what’s ahead.
In this episode, Sandra Benitez, Executive Director of The LIBRE Initiative, explains how LIBRE empowers Hispanic Americans through limited-government principles, grassroots leadership, and policy advocacy in 13 states and in Washington, D.C. Sandra shares how LIBRE helped mobilize Hispanic communities around major federal tax policy—through education, local events, and direct engagement with lawmakers—and why the economy remains the top issue for Hispanic voters.
Looking ahead to 2026, Sandra outlines LIBRE’s plans to help celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, expand civics education, and reconnect more Hispanics to the nation’s founding principles. Plus, LIBRE prepares to mark its own milestone—15 years of grassroots impact in Hispanic communities nationwide.
As America approaches its 250th birthday, American Potential continues its 50 Stars, 50 Stories series—exploring the history, culture, and defining moments of the states as they joined the Union.
In this episode, host David is joined by Adam Thompson and Tyler Raygor to spotlight the states that became part of the United States in December, including Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Indiana, Mississippi, Illinois, Alabama, Texas, and Iowa.
Through stories, historical moments, and memorable facts, the conversation highlights what makes each of these states unique—from early capitals and constitutional firsts to cultural landmarks, iconic events, and the role these states continue to play in American life today.
This episode is part of a month-by-month journey through America’s states, reminding us that the story of the United States is best told one star at a time.
Yuma, Arizona plays a critical role in feeding the United States, supplying much of the nation’s leafy greens during the winter months. But farming at the border comes with unique challenges.
In this episode of American Potential, host David From sits down with Cory Mellon, Chief Operating Officer of his family’s farm, to discuss the realities of agriculture in a border community. Cory explains how the H-2A visa program supports legal farm labor, why generational workers are essential to the industry, and what happens when that system breaks down.
Cory also shares firsthand insight into the economic impact of nonworkers moving through active fields, the food-safety risks farmers face when fields are disrupted, and how a federal government shutdown delayed worker processing—threatening the harvest during a critical picking season.
This conversation highlights the connection between secure borders, legal labor, and America’s food supply, and why getting immigration policy right matters far beyond the border.
What happens to a community when the border system breaks down — and what does it look like when order is restored?
In this episode of American Potential, host David travels to Yuma, Arizona, to speak with Mayor Douglas Nicholls, who shares firsthand insight into the strain massive border crossings placed on his community and what life looks like now as crossings have dramatically declined.
Mayor Nicholls discusses the impact on local law enforcement, emergency services, nonprofits, and residents, as well as the humanitarian toll on migrants caught in cartel-controlled systems. He explains why chaos at the border harms everyone involved — and why the rule of law, legal immigration, and secure borders are essential to protecting both people and communities.
This conversation offers a rare, on-the-ground perspective from a border-town mayor who has lived the reality most Americans only see from afar.
On this episode of American Potential, host David From sits down in Yuma, Arizona with Chris Clem, former Border Patrol sector chief and senior adviser on border security and child trafficking issues.
Chief Clem explains how border security in Yuma has dramatically changed—from thousands of illegal crossings per day to a fraction of that—thanks to renewed enforcement, local–federal cooperation, and investments from the One Big Beautiful Bill. He breaks down why border security isn’t just about immigration, but also economic security, food security, and community safety, especially in an area that supplies much of America’s produce.
The conversation also tackles one of the most heartbreaking consequences of the border crisis: unaccompanied migrant children. Clem shares updates on efforts to locate, rescue, and protect tens of thousands of missing children who were lost under previous policies, emphasizing why this is not a partisan issue—but a moral American responsibility.
This episode offers an inside look at what real border enforcement looks like on the ground, why morale among Border Patrol agents has rebounded, and what it will take to ensure long-term security and accountability.
On this episode of American Potential, host David From talks with Senator Jon Husted of Ohio about one of the most urgent—and least addressed—threats facing America: the out-of-control federal debt and the lack of any requirement to balance the federal budget.
Sen. Husted explains why nearly every state, including Ohio, must balance its budget while Washington continues deficit spending that has produced a $38 trillion national debt and over $1 trillion in annual interest payments—more than the entire budget of nearly every nation on earth. He shares why past balanced budget efforts have failed, how his Principles-Based Balanced Budget Amendment would work, and why a 10-year runway and a two-thirds vote for emergency deficit spending make his approach both realistic and necessary.
The Senator also breaks down the connection between federal overspending, inflation, higher interest rates, and the affordability crisis hitting families nationwide. He explains why Americans across the political spectrum are ready for fiscal discipline—if they can trust Congress to actually follow through.
A must-listen for anyone concerned about America’s financial future—and what it will take to secure it for generations to come.
On this episode of American Potential, host David From speaks with John Leddy, a food truck owner in Alabama, about how complicated it is to legally operate a mobile food business.
John explains how food truck owners are forced to navigate a patchwork of city and county rules—requiring different permits, health inspections, fire inspections, and business licenses for each jurisdiction. With some towns extending their police jurisdiction into county areas, food truck operators can unknowingly cross invisible boundaries and suddenly find themselves operating illegally.
After years of dealing with inconsistent enforcement and bureaucratic delays, John is now working to support legislation that would simplify and standardize the permitting process statewide—making it easier for food truck owners to comply with the law, grow their businesses, and serve their communities.
In this episode of American Potential, host David From talks with Ohio Representative Jennifer Gross, a retired Air Force combat lieutenant colonel and longtime nurse practitioner, about her push to modernize Ohio’s outdated healthcare rules.
Rep. Gross explains how Ohio’s Standard Care Arrangement requirement blocks highly trained nurse practitioners from providing care they’re fully certified to deliver—especially harming patients in rural and underserved communities. She walks through why removing this mandate would:
Expand access to doctors and nurse practitioners across Ohio
Reduce wait times and improve patient choice
Lower costs for patients and Medicaid
Follow the lead of 27 states and 3 territories that have already done it
She also shares how Ohio suspended the rule during COVID with no increase in patient harm, proving the system works without the red tape. Rep. Gross urges Ohioans to contact their legislators and support HB 508, the Better Access to Healthcare Act.
A powerful conversation about healthcare freedom, patient choice, and letting professionals practice to the full extent of their training.
On this episode of American Potential, host David From sits down with Ethan Sanchez (Grassroots Engagement Director, Americans for Prosperity–Wisconsin) and Marine Corps veteran Jim Thompson to unpack a little-known piece of Wisconsin law: it’s illegal to open a new cigar lounge in the state.
Because of Wisconsin’s Clean Indoor Air Act, only a handful of pre-2009 cigar lounges are allowed to operate—creating a de facto state-protected monopoly and shutting out entrepreneurs like Jim, who has a full business plan, funding, and community impact model ready to go.
Ethan and Jim explain:
How Wisconsin’s smoking ban grandfathered old lounges but banned new ones
Why modern lounges in other states have far better air purification and cleaner environments
How the new bill (SB/AB 211) would not force lounges on any town, but simply return the decision to local communities
What this change would mean for jobs, tax revenue, and cigar lovers who just want a place to gather and build real relationships
If you care about entrepreneurship, local control, and letting adults make adult choices, this conversation will light you up like a good cigar.
On this episode of American Potential, host David From welcomes back Dean Clancy, Senior Health Policy Fellow at Americans for Prosperity, to break down the major health care wins inside the One Big Beautiful Bill passed this summer.
Dean explains how the bill expands access to Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), allowing millions more Americans to save tax-free for health care. Even more exciting — HSA funds can now be used for Direct Primary Care (DPC) subscriptions and telehealth, giving families easier, more affordable access to their preferred doctors without insurance gatekeeping.
Dean also highlights key reforms in Medicaid and Obamacare subsidies, what’s still needed to deliver true hassle-free health care, and how AFP’s Personal Option campaign continues to push for more freedom and affordability in the health system.
If you want to understand how the new law impacts your wallet—and why it’s a major victory for health care freedom—this is an episode you won’t want to miss.
On this episode of American Potential, host David From sits down with Patrick Fleenor, the Tax Policy Fellow for Americans for Prosperity, to break down how the One Big Beautiful Bill stopped the largest tax hike in U.S. history. Patrick explains how the bill simplifies parts of the tax code, keeps more money in the hands of families and job creators, and strengthens pro-growth policies like full expensing and R&D deductions.
They also tackle common myths about who benefits from tax cuts, discuss the ongoing fight over the SALT deduction, and highlight how entitlement spending—rather than too little taxation—is driving America’s long-term fiscal challenges. This episode is a clear, practical guide to understanding why the bill is such a big win for workers, small businesses, and the broader economy.
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