American Potential

Minnesota Meltdown: Legislative Walkouts, Court Battles & a $6B Deficit

What do you get when you combine a tied state house, court challenges, political walkouts, and a looming budget crisis? A real-life political soap opera—and it's all happening in Minnesota. In this episode, host David From sits down with RaeAnna Lee, Legislative and Coalitions Director at Americans for Prosperity-Minnesota, to break down the chaos that’s been unfolding at the Minnesota State Capitol.
From a tied House and disputed elections to lawmakers refusing to show up—while still collecting their full salaries—this episode unpacks how political brinksmanship has cost taxpayers time, money, and trust.
RaeAnna gives a behind-the-scenes look at how AFP is holding legislators accountable, what Minnesotans are saying about the dysfunction, and how a $6 billion deficit looms just months after a record $18 billion surplus was spent.
If you care about transparency, responsible spending, and elected officials actually doing their jobs—this is a must-listen.

America’s Public Land Crisis: Too Much Federal Control, Too Little Freedom

When the federal government controls over 70% of the land in Utah, it’s not just a policy issue—it’s a crisis for rural communities trying to survive and thrive.
In this episode of American Potential, host David From sits down with Congresswoman Celeste Maloy, who represents Utah’s 2nd Congressional District and brings a rare combination of real-world experience—as a former soil conservationist and public lands attorney—to one of the biggest underreported issues facing the American West: federal land control.
They explore how Washington’s top-down management of public lands has led to economic decline, lost jobs, and broken communities throughout the West. What was once land of opportunity is now tied up in red tape, blocked access, and one-size-fits-all mandates from bureaucrats who’ve never set foot in these towns.
Maloy breaks down how we got here—from early land grants and homesteading to the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976—and why the West was promised local control but got federal overreach instead.
If you believe in local decision-making, respect for property rights, and free people shaping their own future, this episode is a powerful look at what’s gone wrong—and how we can start to fix it.

Unpacking Waste and Redundancy at the Department of Education

In this episode of American Potential, host David From is joined by Jeremiah Mosteller, Policy Director at Americans for Prosperity, for another deep dive in our “Big Ideas for Smaller Government” series. This time, they unpack the U.S. Department of Education—its massive $241.7 billion annual budget, over 4,000 employees, and a growing list of responsibilities that stretch from preschool to post-graduate programs.
But here’s the twist: Many of the programs you might assume fall under the Department of Education actually don’t. For example, the federal Head Start preschool program is run by the Department of Health and Human Services. And even more surprising? The Department of Education has its own disaster recovery unit—despite FEMA already handling emergency response at a national level.
David and Jeremiah explore how this kind of duplication across federal agencies leads to confusion, inefficiency, and wasted taxpayer dollars. From overlapping financial literacy programs to higher education policies that funnel students into costly four-year degrees, the episode makes the case for smarter, streamlined approaches that empower students and families—not bureaucracies.
They also highlight a common-sense reform that could save the federal government $9.4 billion without cutting services: giving students more flexibility in how they use federal aid for education paths that make the most sense for them.
If you’ve ever wondered why sending your kid to college feels so expensive—or why the federal government seems to do the same job twice—this episode is for you.

From Addiction to Impact: Scott Strode on Recovery, Resilience & The Phoenix

At just 11 years old, Scott Strode had his first drink—and it marked the beginning of a battle with addiction that would last into adulthood. But through climbing, community, and rediscovering his self-worth, Scott found a new path forward—one that would eventually help hundreds of thousands do the same.
In this powerful episode, host David From sits down with Scott Strode, founder of The Phoenix and author of Rise, Recover, Thrive, to talk about his journey from addiction to purpose. Scott shares the pain of a difficult childhood, the moment he hit rock bottom, and how an ice climbing class changed the course of his life. That transformation sparked a movement—The Phoenix—which now provides a sober, active community for nearly a million people across the country.
Learn how physical challenge, peer support, and personal dignity are fueling recovery in communities nationwide—and how you can be part of the solution.
📚 Get the book: Rise, Recover, Thrive📲 Explore The Phoenix or become a volunteer:   https://thephoenix.org 
#AddictionRecovery #MentalHealth #Phoenix #RiseRecoverThrive #AmericanPotential #Leadership #SecondChances #FitnessAndRecovery #Sobriety

Why Act 10 Still Matters – Gov. Scott Walker & Guy Benson on the Battle Over Wisconsin’s Future

More than a decade after Governor Scott Walker passed Act 10—historic legislation that reined in the power of public sector unions and saved taxpayers over $30 billion—the law is under threat once again.
In this episode, radio host and Fox News contributor Guy Benson sits down with Governor Walker to revisit the battle that captured national attention, the reforms that transformed Wisconsin, and how a quiet April 1st Supreme Court election could roll it all back.
With new lawsuits filed and a court majority now leaning left, the consequences of repealing Act 10 would be far-reaching: higher taxes, less classroom funding, and a return to bloated union contracts. Together, they explore what’s really at stake and why voters across the country should be paying attention.
This conversation isn’t just about Wisconsin—it’s about preserving constitutional balance and preventing courts from overriding the will of the people.
🎧 Listen and subscribe at AmericanPotential.com
#Act10 #ScottWalker #GuyBenson #WisconsinPolitics #JudicialActivism #SchoolChoice #PublicUnions #AmericanPotential

From Principal to Pioneer: How Mary Jo Fairhead Is Reimagining Education in Rural South Dakota

What happens when a dedicated educator realizes the system isn’t serving her students—or her own children? She builds something better.
In this deeply moving episode of American Potential, host David From speaks with Mary Jo Fairhead, a former public-school teacher and principal in South Dakota, who left the traditional education system to create Onward Learning—a micro school serving one of the poorest counties in the U.S.
From facing heartbreaking moments as a principal on a reservation, to embracing a love-based, relationship-centered approach to learning, Mary Jo shares her journey of starting a school that meets kids where they are—emotionally, academically, and personally.
She also explains:✅ How trauma and poverty shaped her mission✅ The role VELA Education Fund played in helping her launch✅ The personalized, multi-age approach that’s helping students thrive✅ Advice for others looking to start micro schools or alternative learning models
Whether you’re a parent, educator, or simply passionate about improving education, this episode will leave you inspired and hopeful for the future of learning in America.

Reining in the Bureaucracy: How Trump’s Executive Order Challenges the Administrative State

For years, unelected bureaucrats have stretched vague laws to impose regulations that Congress never explicitly approved. But with a new executive order, President Trump is taking steps to rein in the administrative state and ensure that federal agencies stay within their constitutional limits.
In this episode of American Potential, host David From speaks with Ryan Mulvey, Policy Counsel for Americans for Prosperity Foundation, to break down what this executive order means, how it builds on key Supreme Court doctrines, and what impact it could have on federal regulations, agency overreach, and the economy. They discuss:
✅ The Major Questions Doctrine and why it limits bureaucratic power✅ How the Chevron Doctrine’s demise shifts power back to judges and Congress✅ The role of Congress in making these changes permanent✅ What this could mean for business owners, taxpayers, and individual freedoms
Could this executive order mark a turning point in restoring constitutional balance and limiting government overreach? Tune in for an in-depth conversation on the fight to restore accountability in Washington.

From Battlefield to Brewery: How Tax Cuts Fueled Growth for a Veteran-Owned Business

Starting a business is never easy, but for veterans like George Rice, it’s about more than just making a profit—it’s about building community and creating opportunities. In this episode of American Potential, host David From sits down with George, co-owner of 5x5 Brewing Co. in Mission, Texas, to discuss his journey from serving in the U.S. Army to becoming a successful entrepreneur in the craft beer industry.
George shares how the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act allowed him to expand production, hire more veterans, and give back to his local community—proving that pro-growth policies don’t just help big corporations, but also fuel small businesses and job creation. He also dives into the challenges of government regulations, the impact of high taxes on business decisions, and the importance of keeping economic policies that empower entrepreneurs.
Tune in for an inspiring story of resilience, service, and success, and learn why policies that support small businesses matter for every American.

Cutting Red Tape in Georgia: Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones on Regulatory Reform and Business Growth

Excessive regulations can strangle small businesses, delay job creation, and burden entrepreneurs with unnecessary red tape. But in Georgia, leaders are taking action to fix it. In this episode of American Potential, host David From sits down with Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones to discuss the Red Tape Rollback Act, a bold initiative aimed at reducing government overreach and making the state more business-friendly.
Jones explains how the legislation will require every state agency to regularly review and justify their regulations, ensuring only necessary and effective rules remain in place. He also highlights how regulatory burdens often create backlogs, slow licensing processes, and make it harder for individuals and businesses to thrive.
As a lifelong businessman, Jones brings firsthand experience in dealing with government inefficiencies and is leading the charge to make Georgia a national model for streamlined governance.
Tune in to hear how cutting through red tape will promote economic growth, create more opportunities, and put power back in the hands of the people.

Environmental Protection Agency’s Costly Agenda: Union Jobs, Green Banks, and Taxpayer Waste

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was created to safeguard air and water quality, but has it gone too far in expanding its reach? In this episode of American Potential, host David From is joined by Jeremiah Mosteller, Policy Director for Americans for Prosperity, to expose how the EPA is using taxpayer dollars for programs that go far beyond its core mission. From $600 million in grants just to help groups apply for more funding, to $3 billion allocated for union jobs under the guise of environmental initiatives, the agency’s spending raises serious concerns about efficiency and oversight.
We also dive into the controversial Green Bank program, the burdensome bureaucracy causing some grant recipients to reject EPA funding altogether, and the duplication of spending across multiple agencies. With the goal of cutting $2 trillion in government waste, this episode highlights real solutions to rein in excessive spending. Plus, find out how you can submit your own ideas to help identify wasteful government programs. Tune in to uncover the truth about how your tax dollars are being spent!