Afleveringen
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In this powerful Memorial Day episode of American Potential, host David From is joined by Marine Corps veteran Adam Jahnke, now a Strategic Director at Concerned Veterans for America, to reflect on the true meaning of the holiday through the stories of those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Adam shares deeply personal memories of his fellow MarinesâCorporal RenĂ© Martinez, Lance Corporal Donald Chaplain, and othersâwho were killed while serving in Iraq. He also talks candidly about the realities of combat, the emotional toll of survivorâs guilt, and his journey of recovery after being wounded in 2006.
This conversation goes beyond the headlines and ceremonies. Itâs a sobering, heartfelt reminder that Memorial Day is not just a time for relaxationâitâs a time to honor lives lost, to tell their stories, and to recognize the lasting impact on those who served alongside them.
Adam challenges us to rethink how we observe Memorial Dayânot just with gratitude, but with intention: by reaching out, listening, and ensuring that the sacrifices of our fallen heroes are never forgotten.
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In the next installment of the Big Ideas for Smaller Government series, host David From welcomes back Jeremiah Mosteller, Policy Director at Americans for Prosperity, to discuss how Congress can take bold action to rein in runaway federal agencies, eliminate wasteful spending, and make key regulatory reforms permanent.
Jeremiah breaks down why popular executive orders from the previous administrationâlike those promoting transparency and accountabilityâwonât last unless Congress acts. He explains how legislation such as the Guidance Out of Darkness Act, the REINS Act, and the Reorganizing Government Act can prevent bureaucratic overreach, slash unnecessary regulations, and save taxpayers billions.
This episode pulls back the curtain on how hidden guidance documents function as backdoor regulation and how bloated rulemaking fuels agency growth. From shrinking budgets to restoring constitutional authority, Jeremiah outlines whatâs needed to protect the gains of recent reformsâand why time is running out.
If you care about limiting government, cutting waste, and preserving individual liberty, this is a conversation you wonât want to miss.
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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In this inspiring episode of American Potential, host David From is joined by Daniel Bassali, Vice President of Public Affairs for Americans for Prosperity, to discuss the launch of the One Small Step campaignâAFPâs bold, nationwide effort to celebrate America's 250th anniversary by spotlighting the everyday citizens who are shaping the future of freedom.
Bassali explains how One Small Step draws inspiration from iconic figures like Harriet Tubman, Betsy Ross, and Neil Armstrongâpeople who took action not for fame, but because it mattered. These American pioneers prove that profound change starts with a single courageous act. And today, that legacy lives on in community members testifying at city council meetings, homeschooling moms fighting for education freedom, and students like Caleb Williams whoâve become powerful policy advocates before the age of 21.
Bassali and From explore how AFP serves as a platform to amplify these local voices, empower bottom-up solutions, and fuel a new generation of civic leadership. Whether itâs helping someone write a letter to the editor or organizing grassroots momentum around school choice, every small step adds up to something greater.
This episode is a rallying cry: You donât need a title or a microphone to make a difference. You just need to take the first step.
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In this compelling episode of American Potential, host David From welcomes Congressman Jeff Hurd, a freshman lawmaker representing Coloradoâs vast and beautiful Third Congressional District. Congressman Hurd shares his journey from humble beginnings bagging groceries in Grand Junction to earning law degrees, practicing energy law, and now serving in Congress.
Drawing on his experience as a small business owner and father of five, Congressman Hurd discusses how bad energy policy acts as a hidden tax on rural Americansâand why reversing those policies is essential to economic opportunity. He outlines his legislative efforts to return the Bureau of Land Management headquarters to Colorado, promote responsible energy development, and fight for rural families who want to stay, work, and raise their children in the communities they love.
The conversation also dives into the importance of making the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act permanent. Congressman Hurd explains how those tax cuts have directly impacted working families and small businesses in his district and why allowing them to expire would be a devastating tax hike on the middle class.
From energy independence to economic freedom, Congressman Hurd brings a clear-eyed focus and a personal commitment to building a better future for rural America. Donât miss this inspiring and informative episode.
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In this episode of American Potential, host David From sits down with Congressman August PflugerâChairman of the Republican Study Committee, decorated Air Force veteran, and proud seventh-generation Texanâfor an in-depth conversation on the path forward for America's economy, energy independence, and national security.
Congressman Pfluger discusses why predictability in the tax code is essential for families, entrepreneurs, and innovators alike. As the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act faces expiration, Pfluger makes the case for why extendingâand ideally making permanentâthose provisions is not just a matter of policy, but a critical step to preserve America's competitive edge and avoid economic backsliding.
He also shares how the Republican Study Committee, now the largest conservative caucus in Congress with 189 members, is working to restore fiscal discipline, protect family-owned farms from devastating inheritance taxes, and ensure American businesses have the confidence to invest and grow.
The conversation dives into the real-world impact of smart tax policy, using examples like a small business in rural Ohio that was able to give employees a 40% raise thanks to the Trump tax cuts. Congressman Pfluger also breaks down the growing demand for domestic energy productionâdriven in part by rising electricity needs from data centers and AIâand why energy security is inseparable from national security.
Representing one of the largest and most quintessentially Texan districts in the country, Congressman Pfluger shares what makes his constituents special, why the Permian Basin is a story of American innovation, and what it means to fight for the freedom and opportunity they hold dear.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants to understand how principled leadership, clear policy direction, and bold vision can help secure a stronger future for all Americans.
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Behind every piece of major legislation, thereâs a story of strategy, sacrifice, and high stakes. In this episode of American Potential, host David From is joined by Andy Koenigâformer White House advisor and one of the key architects behind the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). From inside the halls of the West Wing to late-night meetings on Capitol Hill, Andy offers a behind-the-scenes look at how the landmark tax reform came togetherâand why it matters more than ever today.
Far from being just a âcorporate tax cut,â the TCJA helped over 25 million small businesses and countless working families keep more of their hard-earned money. Andy breaks down how the law simplified the code, sparked job growth, and put power back in the hands of entrepreneursânot bureaucrats. But with key provisions set to expire soon, Americans now face the threat of a massive tax hike at the worst possible time.
Andy also shares a lighter moment from the White House: President Trump wanted to name the bill âCut Cut Cutââa reminder that clear messaging matters. With inflation surging and government spending out of control, Andy and David make the case for why now is the time to make these tax cuts permanentâand why letting them lapse would be a crushing blow to American potential.
Whether you're a taxpayer, small business owner, or policy nerd, this episode is a must-listen for understanding the stakes behind one of the most consequential economic reforms in a generation.
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Ilena and Meleana Levitt didnât just talk about school choiceâthey lived it. When their father became a fully disabled veteran and their family could no longer afford private school, these two Montana sisters made a bold and uncommon decision: they worked nearly full-time jobs as teenagers to pay for the education they believed in. It wasnât easyâbut it was worth it. Now, as young adults, theyâre turning their personal story into public advocacy, fighting to expand school choice in Montana so that no student has to sacrifice like they did just to access the education that fits them best.
In this episode of American Potential, host David From sits down with Ilena and Meleana to discuss what classical education taught them, how their family rallied behind them, and why school choice policiesâlike education savings accountsâare a game-changer for families who just want the freedom to choose whatâs best for their kids. Their story is a testament to hard work, personal agency, and the power of policy to open doors for the next generation.
School choice isnât a theory for these sistersâitâs the reason theyâre thriving. This is the kind of potential that gets unlocked when familiesânot systemsâare put first.
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In this eye-opening episode of American Potential, host David From is joined by Congressman Rich McCormick, an ER physician, U.S. Marine and Navy veteran, and representative of Georgiaâs 6th District, to confront one of the greatest threats to Americaâs future: our broken healthcare system.
McCormick brings real-world medical and military experience to Congress, and in this powerful conversation, he explains why healthcare is not only the largest spending item in the federal budget but also the fastest-rising cost burdening American families and businesses. At over $5 trillion a year, it rivals the worldâs largest economiesâand it's unsustainable.
He lays out the case for urgent, common-sense reforms:
Eliminate Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) abuse that drives up prescription costs
Achieve site neutrality so hospitals and independent providers are reimbursed fairly
Cut red tape and restore competition by ending outdated Certificate of Need laws
Unleash the power of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and patient-centered transparency
Stop the governmentâs overreach into your health decisions, exposed during COVID
Congressman McCormick also warns of the broader national consequences if we donât act nowâeconomic decline, loss of global influence, and the erosion of personal freedom.
If you care about healthcare freedom, responsible spending, and protecting the American Dream, this is a must-listen episode.
đ Learn more at: AmericanPotential.com
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In this episode of American Potential, host David From continues the Big Ideas for Smaller Government series with AFP Policy Director Jeremiah Mosteller to explore a staggering opportunity for reform: a unified verification system for all federal welfare and assistance programs. By streamlining the maze of 80 uncoordinated programsâmany run by the USDAâAmerican taxpayers could save over $554 billion, nearly doubling the running total of identified savings in the series to over $1 trillion.
The conversation sheds light on how the U.S. Department of Agriculture has quietly ballooned into an agency funding not only nutrition and farming but also jails and international climate hubsâspending $20 million to teach fertilizer use in countries like Brazil and Pakistan.
Jeremiah shares domestic and international modelsâlike Project Unity in Texas and Estoniaâs revolutionary e-verification systemâthat prove how centralized systems can improve services, protect privacy, and eliminate waste.
This episode shows how smart policy, not slashed benefits, can lead to massive savings and stronger outcomes for those in need. It's a roadmap for Congressâand a challenge to rethink how government assistance is delivered.
đ For more, visit AmericanPotential.com
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What would you sacrifice for freedom? For Monet Bacs, Strategic Director at the LIBRE Initiative in Arizona, her father's answer was clearâeverything. In this moving episode, host David From sits down with Monet to explore the legacy of her father, who fled Guatemala in search of opportunity, safety, and a future he couldnât find at home.
Arriving in the U.S. as a teenage exchange student who spoke no English, Monetâs father built a life rooted in hard work, sacrifice, and unwavering belief in the American Dream. âIâd rather be homeless in America than live under tyranny,â he once saidâand he lived those words, choosing struggle in freedom over comfort in oppression.
Monet also opens up about her grandfatherâs horrifying experience in communist Cuba and how her fatherâs heartbreaking death during COVID, amid a broken healthcare system, ignited her passion for meaningful policy reform. Today, she works through the LIBRE Initiative to empower Hispanic communities with access to economic opportunity, education, and better healthcareâcarrying forward the legacy of sacrifice and service passed down by her father.
Itâs a powerful story of resilience, purpose, and what it truly means to honor freedom.
đ Learn more about the LIBRE Initiative at: https://thelibreinitiative.com
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What does it mean to honor the legacy of survival and freedom?
In this powerful episode of American Potential, host David From sits down with Henry Kriegel, deputy state director of Americans for ProsperityâMontana, to hear the extraordinary story of his parentsâHolocaust survivors who came to America with nothing but determination and hope. Their escape from Nazi-occupied Poland, survival through labor camps, and eventual arrival at Ellis Island shaped Henryâs lifelong dedication to defending freedom and opportunity.
From launching pro-freedom campus groups at Columbia University, to briefing President Reagan on endgame strategies in Afghanistan, and now training activists and testifying in the Montana legislature, Henry has spent his life fighting for policies that empower peopleânot government.
Whether heâs advocating for tax reform, educational freedom, or helping elect leaders like U.S. Senator Tim Sheehy, Henryâs passion is rooted in the belief that liberty is fragileâand must be fiercely defended for future generations.
đ§ Discover more at: americanpotential.com
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Chris Thomas didnât plan on becoming a business ownerâbut when opportunity knocked, he answered. In this episode of American Potential, host David From sits down with Chris, an Army veteran and the owner of Tri-County Tower, to hear how military service shaped his leadership, and how a campfire conversation with his father-in-law changed the course of his life.
Chris shares the behind-the-scenes story of buying and growing a tower construction business in small-town Ohio, the real impact of tax reform on his ability to expand and hire, and his passion for creating jobsânot just for the sake of profit, but to improve lives, including his own children with autism.
This is a powerful conversation about grit, responsibility, and the freedom to build something meaningful in your own backyard. Whether youâre a veteran, entrepreneur, parent, or policy advocate, Chrisâs story will leave you inspired.
đ§ Learn more at: americanpotential.com
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What happens after service members take off the uniformâbut still feel the calling to serve? In this powerful episode of American Potential, host David From sits down with John Vick, the new Executive Director of Concerned Veterans for America, to discuss how veterans are continuing the fight for freedom right here at home.
John shares his remarkable journey from serving overseas with the Marines and Navy to shaping public policy on Capitol Hill, managing political campaigns, and now leading a national grassroots movement. They dive into how Concerned Veterans for America is working to give veterans better access to healthcare, end endless wars through a strategy of realism and restraint, and strengthen America's economy as a pillar of national defense.
John also talks candidly about what drew him to this mission, why veterans have one of the most credible voices in public policy today, and how CVA is empowering a new generation of citizen-leaders who have already sacrificedâand now refuse to stand on the sidelines.
This episode isnât just about veteransâitâs about how every American benefits when we unleash the leadership, experience, and passion of those who fought for our freedoms. If you believe in protecting opportunity, strengthening our country, and giving veterans a real voice in shaping the future, you won't want to miss this inspiring conversation.
Learn more and get involved at https://cv4a.org/
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What does it mean to risk everything for freedomâand then dedicate your life to protecting it?
In this powerful episode, host David From sits down with Rommel Lopez, grassroots engagement director for Americans for ProsperityâFlorida, to share his incredible journey from communist Nicaragua to the United States. Rommel grew up during a brutal civil war under the Sandinista regime, where fear, food shortages, and propaganda were daily realities.
At age 11, his family fled to America, seeking a life of liberty. Rommel went on to serve in the U.S. Navy aboard aircraft carriers like the USS Carl Vinsonâdefending the very freedoms his family once lacked. Today, he continues his mission through grassroots activism, helping others understand why freedom, opportunity, and limited government are worth defending.
Rommelâs story isnât just inspiringâitâs a call to action.
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An audit revealed $800 million in misspent taxpayer dollars at the Department of Energyâand that's just the beginning. In this episode, Jeremiah Mosteller, Policy Director at Americans for Prosperity, joins David From to expose how the agency charged with Americaâs energy future is riddled with waste, inefficiency, and programs that benefit big corporations at your expense.
From a federal power-marketing agency selling below-market rates to utilities, to EV subsidies going to companies pulling back on production, the DOEâs track record raises serious questions. And with the total potential taxpayer savings in this series now at $549.5 billion, itâs clear thereâs a lot more to cut.
Think youâve got an idea to reduce government waste? Submit yours at DogeIdea.com.
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After surviving a rocket-propelled grenade attack in Afghanistan, Chris Enget returned home to a new battleâone with PTSD, anxiety, and the daily challenge of reintegrating into civilian life. But everything began to change the day Bolt, a specially trained service dog, entered his lifeâon the very anniversary of the attack that nearly killed him.
In this moving episode of American Potential, host David From sits down with Chris, now the Education Director for Concerned Veterans for America, to share how Bolt has helped him regain confidence, navigate large crowds, and manage hypervigilance that once made daily life feel impossible.
Chris explains how service dogs like Bolt are transforming the lives of veteransâhelping them reconnect with society, reduce isolation, and find a renewed sense of independence. He also addresses common misconceptions about service animals and the challenges veterans face in accessing them through the current healthcare system.
This isnât just a story about a veteran and a dogâitâs about resilience, healing, and the potential every American has when theyâre supported with the right tools.
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What happens when a family business is nearly shut down over a simple paperwork error?
In this eye-opening episode of American Potential, host David From sits down with Chase Sharp, a third-generation business owner from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, who shares how the federal government nearly wiped out his companyânot because of fraud or abuse, but because of a minor administrative mistake.
Chase walks us through how the Biden administrationâs âzero toleranceâ gun policy triggered an aggressive ATF response that led to a year-and-a-half court battle, $30,000 in legal fees, and untold hours diverted from actually serving customers. He explains how this level of federal overreach isnât just bureaucraticâitâs personal, and itâs threatening the future of Main Street businesses across America.
But itâs not all bad news. Chase also reflects on the positive impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), which helped his family-owned pawn shop expand to five locations, give raises to employees, and serve more customers during a period of historic economic growth. Now, with TCJA set to expire, he warns whatâs at stake for business owners and working families if Congress doesnât act.
From navigating audits and red tape to surviving targeted regulation and building a legacy with his family, Chaseâs story is a powerful reminder of why economic freedom mattersâand how itâs under threat.
If you care about protecting small businesses, keeping the American Dream alive, and making government work for the peopleânot against themâthis is an episode you wonât want to miss.
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What happens when a young girl raised under communism is given a second chanceâin the land of the free?
In this gripping episode of American Potential, host David From sits down with Heydi MartĂnez, a courageous woman who grew up under Cubaâs authoritarian regime, arrived in the U.S. as a teenager with nothing, and is now working with Americans for Prosperity to protect the very freedoms she once lived without.
Heydi shares what it was like to live in survival modeâbrushing her teeth with soap, relying on rationed food, using newspaper as toilet paper, and being taught to fear and hate America. But her perspective shifted dramatically when she arrived in Florida at age 16. With no English, no money, and no connections, she fought through every obstacle, eventually graduating with honors and finding her voice as a passionate advocate for liberty.
She also reflects on the emotional journey of reuniting with her mother after a decade apart, bringing her family to safety, and the warning she wants every American to hear: Communism doesnât arrive overnightâit seeps in slowly.
This episode is a heartfelt, firsthand reminder of why freedom must be protected, why the American Dream is still real, and why the voices of those who lived under tyranny must never be ignored.
If youâve ever needed a reason to believe in the power of liberty, this is it.
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Behind every great moment of American prosperity, thereâs been a bold move to let people keep more of what they earn. In this episode of American Potential, host David From is joined by Chris Stio, Deputy Director of Staff Training at Americans for Prosperity, to trace the powerful history of tax reform in Americaâfrom the Civil War to JFK, from Reagan to the modern-day Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
Itâs more than a policy discussionâitâs a story of what happens when government gets out of the way and trusts people to build, create, and thrive. Drawing on decades of economic history, Chris explains how lowering taxes has consistently empowered individuals, sparked growth, and lifted millions. He also reveals how the language we useâwords like âtax reliefââcan inspire action and shape the national conversation.
As Tax Day approaches and Congress debates whether to let tax hikes kick in, this conversation is a rallying cry for action. Because when we cut through the noise and stand up for real reform, weâre not just defending numbers on a pageâweâre defending opportunity, dignity, and the very promise of the American Dream.
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Running a small business should be challengingâbut fulfilling. For Gail Nicholls, owner of a rural pet and livestock supply store in South Carolina, itâs become a daily struggle against endless state regulations. In this episode of American Potential, host David From sits down with Gail to hear how red tape and paperwork have kept her from doing what she lovesâserving customers, growing her business, spending time with family, and going to church.
Gail shares why she stepped up to testify in support of the Small Business Regulatory Freedom Act, a bill that would require some state regulations to be approved by the legislature before going into effect. Her story is a powerful reminder of the real-world consequences of overregulationâand how one voice can make a difference.
đč How 81,000 state regulations impact business ownersđč Why she testified before a South Carolina House Subcommitteeđč What sheâd do with the time regulations steal from herđč The importance of speaking up to create change
If youâve ever wondered what small business owners are really up againstâor how to help lighten their loadâthis is an episode you wonât want to miss.
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