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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!
394 Episodes
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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.
In this episode of American Potential, host David From sits down with Spike Cohen, founder and president of You Are The Power, to talk about how ordinary people can push back against extraordinary government abuse—and win. From eminent domain land grabs to “medical kidnapping” and CPS overreach, Spike shares how his organization uses public pressure and storytelling to force officials to do the right thing.
Spike explains how his 2020 vice-presidential run opened his eyes to countless local injustices that couldn’t wait for a future election. That led him to build a model that combines viral storytelling with simple, concrete calls to action—like one-click emails to key decision-makers—that has produced a near-100% success rate in stopping bad government actions.
You’ll hear the heartbreaking and ultimately hopeful story of Matt and Tucky Hernandez, whose daughters were taken after a misdiagnosed medical condition was labeled “abuse.” Spike walks through how You Are The Power exposed the truth, mobilized thousands of people, and helped spark reforms in Georgia—including “Ridge’s Law,” which now requires better medical review and protects innocent families from being torn apart to chase federal funding.
If you care about civil liberties, CPS reform, medical freedom, and fighting bureaucracy that destroys lives, this conversation will fire you up—and show you exactly how people like you can help. Spike also shares how to get involved, support future cases, or ask for help if your own family is facing government overreach.
In this powerful episode of American Potential, host David From speaks with Amy Siple, a Kansas nurse practitioner whose career was nearly destroyed—not for harming a patient, not for malpractice, but for a clerical error while her husband battled cancer.
When Amy missed a routine license renewal fee, the Kansas Board of Nursing launched a punitive process that labeled her “unprofessional,” threatened her ability to work, jeopardized her malpractice insurance, and put her on permanent national databases. As Amy began speaking out, she discovered countless other Kansas nurses suffering the same fate for minor errors—while the state faces a severe nursing shortage and spends $44 million on contract labor.
Amy sheds light on a system with little oversight, inconsistent discipline, and a board that has quietly accumulated $4 million in fines from nurses. She also shares how legislators are now fighting to reform the system, protect nurses, and ultimately protect patients who rely on skilled professionals like her.
This is a must-listen episode for anyone concerned about government overreach, healthcare access, professional licensing reform, and supporting the nurses who serve our communities.
In this 50 Stars, 50 Stories edition of American Potential, host David From sits down with Jennifer Beving, Deputy State Director for AFP–South Dakota, and Tyler Voight, State Director for AFP–North Carolina, for a lively blend of state trivia and state leadership.
Jennifer shares how AFP–South Dakota is helping citizens get involved, show up in Pierre, and keep government small, while Tyler explains how North Carolina transformed its business climate, strengthened freedom, and became a top destination for families and businesses. Packed with fun facts, state pride, and real policy wins, this episode shows how both states are shaping America’s future through lower taxes, smarter government, and engaged communities.
In this heartfelt episode of American Potential, host David From talks with Beka Dowhy, founder of the Caregiver Support Network, about her mission to support family caregivers who often feel unseen and alone. After caring for her mom through multiple sclerosis (MS) alongside her dad, Beka experienced firsthand how isolating caregiving can be — and decided to change that for others.
She shares how her organization connects caregivers with prayer partners, emotional support, and practical help like meal deliveries, cleaning services, and home care relief so they can take a breath and care for themselves, too. This inspiring conversation shines a light on the unseen heroes caring for loved ones and offers real solutions for preventing caregiver burnout and building community-based support networks across the country.
In this episode of American Potential, host David From talks with Tanner Avery, Policy Director at the Frontier Institute in Montana, about how pro-innovation policies are helping Big Sky Country become a leader in both artificial intelligence and energy development. Avery explains how Montana’s new Right to Compute law protects AI and modern computing as forms of free speech—calling them the “modern printing press”—and why that protection is vital for innovation and economic growth.
He also dives into Montana’s unique opportunity to pair energy abundance with the rise of data centers and AI-driven industries. With low regulation, smart permitting reforms, and a strong culture of freedom, Montana is attracting businesses and tech talent from high-regulation states. Avery and From discuss how AI can augment work, boost labor productivity, and create prosperity without fear or overregulation. This is a must-listen for anyone interested in AI policy, energy innovation, and the future of technology freedom in America.
In this episode of American Potential, host David From sits down with Montana State Representative Gary Parry, Chair of the House Energy & Technology Committee, to discuss how Montana can remain a leader in energy production while preparing for the future. Parry outlines his vision for expanding coal and small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs), strengthening transmission infrastructure, and ensuring Montana stays a net energy exporter in the West.
He also shares how reliable, affordable energy supports local jobs and keeps Montana’s rural communities strong, while explaining the importance of regional cooperation with neighboring states and Canada to stabilize the grid. From Colstrip’s legacy to next-generation nuclear, Perry lays out a clear, common-sense path to energy abundance and economic growth for Big Sky Country.
In this episode of American Potential, host David From talks with Darin Selnick, Senior Advisor for Concerned Veterans for America and one of the architects of the VA MISSION Act, about the next big step in veterans’ healthcare reform — the Veterans Access Act. Selnick reveals how bureaucratic failures and delays under the current administration have left veterans waiting months for care, forcing some to travel hundreds of miles or worse, leading to preventable tragedies, including suicides.
He explains how the Veterans Access Act would enforce timely care — requiring the VA to act within 48 hours for urgent mental health cases, protect veterans’ right to choose community care, and stop the VA from hiding or denying eligibility. Selnick also exposes why entrenched bureaucrats resist reform and how grassroots action can push Congress to finally deliver on America’s promise to its veterans. If you care about veterans’ healthcare, mental health, and VA reform, this episode is essential listening.
In this powerful episode of American Potential, host David From speaks with Army combat veteran Dallas Knight and retired Air Force Colonel Lorraine Schleder about their journeys of service, sacrifice, and healing. They recount experiences from Iraq combat missions to aeromedical evacuations, and how those challenges shaped their drive to continue serving fellow veterans after returning home.
Knight shares why she founded Operation Juliet, a nonprofit dedicated to helping female veterans recover from military sexual trauma (MST) and reconnect with their sense of identity, while Schleder explains her work with Veterans Navigation Network, guiding veterans through VA healthcare, disability claims, and suicide prevention resources. Together, they offer powerful insight into the urgent need for VA reform, mental health support, and a national effort to truly see and hear our veterans beyond a simple “thank you for your service.”
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