American Potential

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...

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 ...

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 lo...

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 Beau...

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 deb...

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 jurisdi...

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 patient...

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-prot...

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...

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.

T...

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 2...

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, jeopard...

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 ...

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 caregi...

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 pr...

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 ener...

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...

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 O...

In this episode of American Potential, host David From sits down with Congressman Troy Downing of Montana’s vast First District to talk about unleashing America’s energy potential and keeping the nation secure—both economically and militarily. Downing discusses how affordable, reliable energy is the backbone of prosperity for families, small businesses, and industry, and why under President Trump’s leadership, the country is once a...