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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:

Rose Gordon on Resilience, Language, and the Lakota Legacy Sep 12, 2025

Show notes

In this moving episode of American Potential, host David From welcomes Rose Gordon, a Lakota language teacher at Onward Learning in South Dakota. Rose reflects on her childhood growing up under the shadow of government-run boarding schools, where speaking her native language was forbidden and punishable. Despite these efforts to erase her culture, she held on to the words, values, and stories passed down by her family and community. Today, she teaches Lakota to young students, ensuring they not only learn the language but also understand the deep history and resilience of their people.

Rose shares the significance of the Seven Council Fires, the boarding school era’s lasting impact, and the importance of reclaiming cultural pride. She explains why language and culture cannot be separated—without one, the other fades. Through songs, stories, and classroom lessons, she is equipping the next generation to carry forward the identity of the Lakota people. Her work is a reminder that preserving language is preserving freedom—the freedom to define who you are and to pass on a legacy that can never be silenced.

How Tennessee Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton is Expanding School Choice & Protecting Taxpayers Sep 11, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of American Potential, host David From sits down with Tennessee Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton to discuss how his state is leading the way on education freedom and fiscal responsibility. Sexton shares why parents, not bureaucrats, should decide how their children are educated and explains how Tennessee’s bold school choice program is empowering families with more options. He also highlights how competition is driving public schools to improve while ensuring every student has the chance to succeed, no matter their zip code.

The conversation doesn’t stop with education. Speaker Sexton also pulls back the curtain on how Tennessee is saving taxpayers money by cutting waste, paying down debt, and pushing back against the strings that come attached to federal funding. From rejecting costly mandates to insisting on greater oversight of grant dollars, Sexton outlines a common-sense approach to governing that keeps taxes low and opportunities high. His story shows what principled leadership can accomplish when freedom and accountability come first.

Exposing Waste at the Department of Justice: Billions in Spending Without Accountability Sep 08, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of American Potential, host David From is joined by Jeremiah Mosteller, Policy Director at Americans for Prosperity, to examine how the Department of Justice spends its massive $67 billion budget. From maintaining dozens of little-used SWAT teams across obscure federal agencies to handing out 11,000 grants worth nearly $5 billion a year—many with little accountability—Jeremiah explains how DOJ has grown far beyond its original mission of enforcing federal law. He also reveals how overlapping programs and unclear reporting allow waste and duplication to thrive.

The conversation then shifts to one of DOJ’s most controversial practices: civil asset forfeiture. Jeremiah outlines how this process allows the government to seize cash, cars, and property from people never even charged with a crime, fueling a slush fund that DOJ frequently raids for discretionary spending. By redirecting this money back to taxpayers and consolidating duplicative programs, Jeremiah and David show how reforms could cut billions without harming public safety. This milestone episode celebrates their Big Ideas for Smaller Government series officially identifying more than $2 trillion in potential federal savings.

Targeted in Michigan: Marlena Pavlos-Hackney and Helen Brinkman Fight Unconstitutional Lockdowns Sep 05, 2025

Show notes

Host David From continues the story of Marlena Pavlos-Hackney, a Michigan restaurant owner who refused to close during the pandemic after the state’s first round of executive orders was ruled unconstitutional. Joined by her attorney, Helen Brinkman, Marlena recounts being singled out by state leadership, arrested, fined, and jailed—despite unequal enforcement and conflicting rulings—after she chose to keep serving her community.

Brinkman walks through the legal maze: administrative suspensions, contempt findings, and split decisions that could set a statewide precedent on executive power, due process, and equal protection. Together they explain why Marlena’s case now aims for the United States Supreme Court—and why the outcome matters for every Michigander who expects leaders to follow the same rules they impose on the people.

Surviving Communism, Resisting COVID Lockdowns: Marlena Pavlos-Hackney’s Story Sep 03, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of American Potential, host David From sits down with Marlena Pavlos-Hackney, who grew up under the weight of communist rule in Poland before finding freedom and opportunity in America. She shares vivid memories of empty store shelves, ration cards, and the solidarity movement that helped bring down the Iron Curtain—experiences that instilled in her a deep appreciation for liberty.

Marlena eventually built her American dream, opening a restaurant in Michigan and serving her community for decades. But in 2020, government lockdown orders threatened to take it all away. Rather than close her doors, she chose to resist mandates she believed echoed the heavy hand of the regime she left behind. In part one of her powerful story, Marlena reflects on her journey from surviving communism to defying destructive COVID restrictions in defense of freedom.

The Common Man’s Journey: Jimmie Smith on Service, Sacrifice, and Civic Leadership Sep 01, 2025

Show notes

What does it look like when an ordinary American, with no political pedigree, takes one small step to get involved and ends up reshaping his community? In this episode of American Potential, host David From welcomes Jimmie Smith, Brand Development Director at Concerned Veterans for America, to share his remarkable story.

Jimmie’s path began in the woods of Florida, where as a boy he dreamed of serving his country. He left high school early, joined the Army at 17, and spent 20 years in uniform. But when he returned home, his passion for America didn’t end with his military career. Frustrated by a local politician’s call for higher taxes during the recession, Jimmie decided to run for office—not with a war chest or political machine, but with conviction and support from friends and neighbors.

In this conversation, Jimmie reflects on what it meant to campaign as a self-described “common man,” challenge entrenched voices, and bring a veteran’s perspective to the Florida House. He shares candid stories from the floor of the legislature—including a passionate speech that nearly ended his career but instead earned him respect—and explains why he fought to replace government handouts with real opportunities for veterans.

Today, Jimmie continues his mission through advocacy, helping veterans use their voices to defend freedom and expand opportunity for all Americans. His journey proves that service doesn’t end with a uniform, and that one small step—taken by anyone—can change the course of a community, a state, or even a nation.

50 Stars, 50 Stories: Colorado, Missouri, and Hawaii Trivia with Jesse Mallory and Camelia Peterson Aug 29, 2025

Show notes

As America approaches its 250th birthday, American Potential is launching a new series, 50 Stars, 50 Stories, highlighting the unique history and culture of each state in the Union. In this first installment, host David From is joined by Jesse Mallory, Regional Director in Colorado, and Camelia Peterson, Legislative Liaison in Missouri, for a lively round of state trivia about Colorado, Missouri, and Hawaii—the three states that joined the Union in August.

From the Missouri Compromise and the origins of the “Show Me State,” to Colorado’s dramatic road to statehood, to Hawaii’s path from kingdom to the 50th star on the flag, this episode blends fun facts with deeper reflections on state identity and freedom. Listeners will also hear about the important policy work AFP teams are leading in Missouri and Colorado to expand opportunity and protect taxpayers.

This engaging mix of history, trivia, and grassroots stories sets the stage for a yearlong journey through America’s states, reminding us of the diverse traditions and shared values that make up the fabric of the nation.

Freedom to Choose Where You Live: How One Iowa Coalition Transformed Housing Policy Aug 27, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of American Potential, host David From sits down with Paige Yontz, Advocacy Manager in Iowa, to explore an innovative housing reform that’s reshaping how families care for aging parents, empower young professionals, and protect property rights. Paige was instrumental in leading a diverse coalition—from aging advocates to housing manufacturers and policy champions—that secured the passage of a groundbreaking Iowa law legalizing accessory dwelling units (ADUs) statewide.

They discuss how ADUs provide practical, cost-effective options for families who want loved ones close while maintaining independence, and how a coalition with seemingly unlikely allies—advocates for aging, property rights, and housing innovation—came together to get it done. From city zoning challenges to bipartisan strategy and coalition storytelling, this episode is a behind-the-scenes look at how smart, personal, and local policy changes can open doors to more freedom and opportunity.

If you’ve ever struggled with housing costs, aging parents, or restrictive local ordinances, this episode will give you hope—and a blueprint.

From Red Tape to Real Care: How Dr. Wheeler Is Restoring Medicine Aug 25, 2025

Show notes

In this inspiring episode of American Potential, host David From speaks with Dr. Chaminie Wheeler, a pediatrician who walked away from the traditional hospital system to launch a direct primary care (DPC) practice—putting patients, not paperwork, at the center of healthcare.

Raised in a small village in Sri Lanka, Dr. Wheeler’s passion for helping others began at a young age and followed her to Pennsylvania, where she built CCC Health from the ground up with help from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. She shares how the broken insurance-based model shackled her ability to treat patients with compassion and clarity. From unnecessary CT scans to delayed diagnoses, Dr. Wheeler reveals how bureaucracy often prevents real healing—and why DPC offers a better way forward.

This episode dives deep into the challenges independent doctors face, the critical role of expanded Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), and how innovation thrives when government steps back. Dr. Wheeler’s story is a reminder that when we trust doctors and empower patients, we unlock the real potential of American healthcare.

How Rafael Arroyo Took On State Bureaucracy and Protected His Dream Aug 22, 2025

Show notes

Most people try to avoid the long lines and frustrations that come with vehicle registration and emissions testing. But Rafael Arroyo saw an opportunity to turn that frustration into a service—and a business. In Las Vegas, he combined emissions testing with vehicle registration services, saving people time and hassle. But the state’s motor vehicle agency didn’t like the competition. They shut him down and made it nearly impossible to continue.

On this episode of American Potential, host David From talks with Rafael about how he fought back. With his business on the line, Rafael didn’t quit—he built relationships with local legislators, rallied other entrepreneurs, and worked through the political process to pass legislation that protected not only his business but an entire industry. His story is a powerful example of how one person can push back against government overreach—and win.

If you’ve ever felt powerless against red tape or regulations, this conversation will inspire you to take action. Rafael reminds us that freedom and opportunity aren’t just ideals—they’re something we must defend, one step at a time.

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