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American Potential — Government
American Potential

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.

Copyright: © Copyright 2023 All rights reserved. A Project of Americans for Prosperity

Latest Episodes:

Tyler Lindholm and James Halverson on Why Beef Costs More and What Ranchers Need to Compete Oct 01, 2026

Show notes

Join our community. Text "freedom" to (202) 918-5348

In this episode of American Potential, host David From sits down with Wyoming ranchers Tyler Lindholm and James Halverson to talk about rising beef prices, the challenges facing American ranchers, and how government regulations affect what consumers ultimately pay at the grocery store.

Tyler, a fifth-generation rancher, and James, a first-generation rancher, explain how beef gets from the pasture to your plate and why a highly concentrated processing industry and federal regulations make it difficult for ranchers to sell directly to consumers. They also discuss tariffs, beef imports, labeling, and why American ranchers can face more restrictions selling across state lines than foreign producers face selling beef in the United States.

They share reforms they believe could open the market to more competition, including allowing state-inspected beef to be sold across state lines and giving states more flexibility over local processing. The conversation also explores why America's cattle herd has fallen to historically low levels and what it could take to increase supply and bring beef prices down.

And beyond policy, Tyler and James share why, despite the long hours and hard work, they're proud to be ranchers and continue the Western way of life.

Katelyn Bledsoe and Lauren Stewart on America at 250 and What Comes Next Sep 29, 2026

Show notes

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In this episode of American Potential, host David From welcomes back Katelyn Bledsoe and Lauren Stewart to share conversations with members of Congress about America’s 250th anniversary, the World Cup, American innovation, and the future of the country.

Katelyn and Lauren share highlights from their latest Media Row, where lawmakers reflected on what makes their home states unique, their favorite American innovations, and the principles they believe have helped America succeed over the past 250 years. They also discuss what it will take to carry those principles forward for another 250 years.

The conversation also turns to the Working Families Tax Cut, the cost of living, and what lawmakers are hearing from their constituents about taxes, healthcare, housing, permitting reform, and other challenges facing American families.

From celebrating America’s past to debating the policies shaping its future, Katelyn and Lauren give listeners a look inside their conversations with lawmakers on Capitol Hill.

David Barnes on Why Everything Costs More and What Can Be Done About It Sep 24, 2026

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In this episode of American Potential, host David From sits down with Americans for Prosperity Senior Policy Director David Barnes to break down the rising cost of living and the policies that can help make life more affordable.

From groceries and gasoline to electricity and housing, David explains how government spending, outdated regulations, permitting delays, and restrictions on building and energy production can drive up costs for American families. He also discusses the Jones Act, why housing supply hasn't kept pace with demand, and reforms that could make it easier to build homes and energy infrastructure.

David also looks at recent tax reforms that prevented tax increases for millions of Americans and discusses AFP's Camp Prosperity tour, which is traveling across the country to hear directly from Americans about the affordability challenges they face.

The conversation explores practical policy changes that could increase supply, reduce unnecessary barriers, and ultimately help Americans keep more of their hard-earned money.

Mayor Glenn Jacobs on High School Students Building Homes for Homeless Veterans Sep 22, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of American Potential, host David From sits down with Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs to discuss Operation Hero’s Hill, a program bringing students, businesses, government, and the community together to help homeless veterans.

Students from 11 local high schools studying the skilled trades built 20 tiny homes that will provide veterans with safe, stable housing. Along the way, students gained hands-on experience working with industry mentors and developing skills in trades where employers desperately need the next generation of workers.

Mayor Jacobs also shares how the community came together to make the project possible, the government barriers they had to overcome, and the additional services veterans will have access to as they move into their new homes. He and David also discuss the growing opportunities in the skilled trades and why programs like this can create a win for students, veterans, businesses, and the entire community.

Casey Mattox on Why the Constitution Still Matters and How We Can Defend It Sep 17, 2026

Show notes

In this Constitution Day episode of American Potential, host David From sits down with Casey Mattox, Senior Adviser at Americans for Prosperity, to explore the history, principles, and protections behind the U.S. Constitution.

Casey explains how the failures of the Articles of Confederation led the Founders to create a new system of government built around checks and balances, federalism, and limits on government power. He also discusses the inspiration behind the Constitution, why the Bill of Rights was added, and the important principle that our rights do not come from government.

The conversation turns to the challenges facing constitutional rights today, including free speech, religious liberty, privacy, and the tendency to expand government power during times of crisis. Casey also explains why defending the Constitution goes beyond politics—it means strengthening families, churches, communities, and the institutions that allow people to solve problems without always turning to government.

And Casey leaves listeners with a simple Constitution Day challenge: read the Constitution, understand your rights, and find ways to strengthen your own community.

Senator James Risch on How Nuclear Energy and Critical Minerals Can Strengthen America Sep 15, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of American Potential, host David From sits down with U.S. Senator Jim Risch of Idaho to discuss America’s energy future, national security, and the resources needed to keep the country competitive.

Sen. Risch explains why Idaho has become a leader in nuclear energy research and how a new generation of smaller reactors, private investment, and increased competition could transform how electricity is produced and delivered. He also discusses the rapidly growing energy demands created by AI and data centers and why he believes nuclear power will be essential to meeting them.

The conversation also turns to critical minerals, semiconductors, permitting reform, and America’s dependence on foreign supply chains. Sen. Risch explains why producing more of these resources at home is critical to both economic and national security.

He also shares his own One Small Step story, his approach to managing Idaho’s public lands, and why he believes free markets and American innovation can help solve some of the country’s biggest challenges.

John Byrnes Remembers 9/11 and His National Guard Service at Ground Zero Sep 11, 2026

Show notes

Twenty-five years after the September 11 attacks, American Potential host David From sits down with John Byrnes, Strategic Director for Concerned Veterans for America, to remember the day that changed America and reflect on its lasting impact.

John was a college student and National Guard soldier in New York City when the attacks began. He recalls hearing the sirens racing toward Lower Manhattan, watching the first tower collapse, and immediately reporting to his armory. By that evening, John and his fellow soldiers were providing security near Ground Zero, where he would spend nearly two weeks alongside police officers, firefighters, and other first responders during the rescue and recovery efforts.

John also shares how 9/11 changed the direction of his own life, eventually leading to deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan. He and David reflect on the thousands of lives lost, the Americans who answered the call to serve, and the extraordinary unity that swept across the country in the days and weeks following the attacks.

Twenty-five years later, John looks back at the lessons of that day, the decisions America made in its aftermath, and why remembering our history remains essential to the country's future.

Rev. Kevass Harding on Breaking Down Barriers to Affordable Housing Sep 08, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of American Potential, host David From sits down with Rev. Kevass Harding to discuss how his own childhood experiences with housing insecurity inspired him to help families find stable, affordable homes.

Rev. Harding shares his journey from working construction with his grandfather to becoming a police officer, pastor, and eventually founding Hope Community Development Corporation in Wichita, Kansas. Today, the organization builds and renovates affordable homes while providing families with financial education and a path toward homeownership.

He also discusses new reforms in Kansas that removed barriers to accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, creating more opportunities for homeowners and community organizations to provide affordable housing. Rev. Harding shares how these changes are already helping seniors, students, and families—including a formerly homeless family that was finally able to move into a home of their own.

Kelley Williams on Going to Jail for Trying to Give Her Daughters a Better Education Sep 03, 2026

Show notes

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In this episode of American Potential, host David From sits down with Kelley Williams to share a heartbreaking story about a mother’s fight to give her daughters a better education—and the devastating consequences that followed.

After concerns about bullying and academics in her daughters’ assigned public school, Kelley enrolled them in the district where her parents lived. What followed went far beyond a simple enrollment dispute. The school district hired a private investigator to follow Kelley, and she was eventually prosecuted on felony charges, convicted, and sent to jail.

Kelley also shares the painful story of her father, who supported her efforts to give his granddaughters a better education. He was later prosecuted on separate charges, sent to prison while suffering from serious health problems, and ultimately died while incarcerated. Kelley describes seeing him hospitalized, shackled to his bed, and wondering how their pursuit of a better public education could have resulted in such devastating consequences.

Her case eventually gained national attention and gave Kelley a platform to speak across the country about education and the power government can wield over families.

This episode is a powerful conversation about parental choice, government overreach, and why families should have greater freedom to pursue the education they believe is best for their children.

Kevin Williams on Overcoming Blindness to Find His Voice in Politics and Podcasting Sep 01, 2026

Show notes

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In this episode of American Potential, host David From sits down with Kevin Williams, a longtime AFP volunteer and host of the Rocky Mountain Freedom Zone podcast, to share how he has refused to let blindness keep him from pursuing his passions.

Born blind, Kevin developed a fascination with radio as a child that eventually led him to earn a degree in broadcasting and begin producing his own shows. He shares how technology—from screen readers and Braille displays to smartphones and AI-powered tools—has given him greater independence and allowed him to record, edit, and produce his own podcast.

Kevin also discusses his passion for politics and his decision to move from simply following the news to getting involved. He has advocated on Capitol Hill, volunteered with Americans for Prosperity, helped fight a local tax increase, and even earned recognition for making the most grassroots calls during an AFP campaign.

His message is simple: whatever obstacle may be standing in your way, find the tools and training to overcome it, start small, and take your own one small step toward making a difference.

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