American Potential

Same Pay, Same Care: Cutting VA Waste and Prioritizing Veterans with Jeremiah Mosteller

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 take a hard look at spending within the Department of Veterans Affairs—and what reforms are needed to better serve those who served us.
Mosteller breaks down how the VA’s budget has quadrupled since 2004 even though the veteran population has declined by 30%. From bloated staffing levels to $4 million contracts for services that now cost just $5,000, this episode exposes how wasteful spending is draining resources from veterans and taxpayers alike.
The conversation also focuses on one reform with huge potential impact: site-neutral payments. Right now, hospitals owned by large systems can charge the federal government far more than local, independent clinics for providing the exact same services to veterans. This creates perverse incentives, drives up costs, and limits care options. Adopting site-neutral payments would save taxpayers an estimated $14 billion—and give veterans more access to timely, local care.
Mosteller also exposes how top VA officials actively discourage use of the Community Care Program, forcing veterans to wait months or drive hours for treatment—while simultaneously helping process healthcare claims for unauthorized migrants.
This episode makes one thing clear: reforming the VA isn't about spending less on veterans—it's about spending smarter so veterans get the care they’ve earned.

The Future of Coal, Grid Security, and the Fight Against Regulatory Overreach

In this high-voltage episode of American Potential, host David From sits down with Rachel Gleason, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Coal Alliance, to discuss the future of coal, the reliability of America’s power grid, and the consequences of top-down energy policy.
Gleason gives a behind-the-scenes look at how federal and state regulations have systematically dismantled coal-fired generation in Pennsylvania—once a powerhouse of domestic energy—and how some of the most reliable plants are now being forced offline by policies driven more by politics than reality. She explains how President Trump’s recent executive orders are reversing course by removing oppressive regulations and restoring the planning certainty needed to invest in energy production again.
From the Clean Power Plan to the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, Rachel details the flawed data and hidden costs behind these rules and how they’ve crippled long-term investment in reliable, base-load energy. She also covers the ongoing legal battle over Pennsylvania’s attempt to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI)—a de facto carbon tax that could raise costs while other states like Maryland simply import energy they refuse to produce.
Gleason and From also examine the growing energy demand from AI and data centers, and why intermittent renewables and small nuclear reactors aren’t ready to meet that need. Gleason makes a strong case for a diversified, “all-of-the-above” energy approach—one where coal continues to play a vital role in national security, economic growth, and grid reliability.
If you care about affordable energy, American jobs, and ending the political war on coal, this episode is essential listening.

Memorial Day Reflections: Stories of Service, Sacrifice, and Healing with Marine Veteran Adam Jahnke

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 Marines—Corporal René Martinez, Lance Corporal Donald Chaplain, and others—who were killed while serving in Iraq. He also talks candidly about the realities of combat, the emotional toll of survivor’s guilt, and his journey of recovery after being wounded in 2006.
This conversation goes beyond the headlines and ceremonies. It’s a sobering, heartfelt reminder that Memorial Day is not just a time for relaxation—it’s 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 Day—not just with gratitude, but with intention: by reaching out, listening, and ensuring that the sacrifices of our fallen heroes are never forgotten.

Congress Must Step Up: Locking In Reform, Cutting Waste, and Ending Regulatory Overreach

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 administration—like those promoting transparency and accountability—won’t 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 what’s needed to protect the gains of recent reforms—and why time is running out.
If you care about limiting government, cutting waste, and preserving individual liberty, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

One Small Step: How Everyday Americans Are Writing the Next Chapter of Freedom

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 campaign—AFP’s 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 Armstrong—people 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 who’ve 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 it’s 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 don’t need a title or a microphone to make a difference. You just need to take the first step.

From Grocery Store to Capitol Hill: Congressman Jeff Hurd’s Mission to Empower Rural America

In this compelling episode of American Potential, host David From welcomes Congressman Jeff Hurd, a freshman lawmaker representing Colorado’s 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 Americans—and 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. Don’t miss this inspiring and informative episode.

Congressman August Pfluger on Conservative Leadership, Tax Certainty, and Unleashing American Energy

In this episode of American Potential, host David From sits down with Congressman August Pfluger—Chairman of the Republican Study Committee, decorated Air Force veteran, and proud seventh-generation Texan—for 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 extending—and ideally making permanent—those 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 production—driven in part by rising electricity needs from data centers and AI—and 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.

Inside the Tax Cuts That Fueled Jobs, Growth, and Freedom

Behind every piece of major legislation, there’s a story of strategy, sacrifice, and high stakes. In this episode of American Potential, host David From is joined by Andy Koenig—former 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 together—and why it matters more than ever today.
Far from being just a “corporate tax cut,” 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 entrepreneurs—not 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 “Cut Cut Cut”—a 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 permanent—and 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.

Earned, Not Given: Two Sisters’ Journey to Fight for School Choice in Montana

Ilena and Meleana Levitt didn’t just talk about school choice—they 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 wasn’t easy—but it was worth it. Now, as young adults, they’re 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 policies—like education savings accounts—are a game-changer for families who just want the freedom to choose what’s 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 isn’t a theory for these sisters—it’s the reason they’re thriving. This is the kind of potential that gets unlocked when families—not systems—are put first.

$5 Trillion Wake-Up Call: Congressman Rich McCormick on Fixing America's Broken Healthcare System

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 Georgia’s 6th District, to confront one of the greatest threats to America’s 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 world’s largest economies—and 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 government’s overreach into your health decisions, exposed during COVID
Congressman McCormick also warns of the broader national consequences if we don’t act now—economic 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.
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