American Potential

Veterans on a Mission: Expanding Choice, Opportunity, and Impact

What does real advocacy look like when it’s led by those who’ve lived it?
In this episode of American Potential, host David From talks with Alexa Rice and Jimmie Smith—two dedicated leaders at Concerned Veterans for America—about their trip to Capitol Hill for Vets on the Hill, one of the most powerful veteran-driven advocacy events in the country.
Alexa, attending for the first time, and Jimmie, a seasoned CVA leader and U.S. Army veteran, share why this mission matters. Their focus: fighting for greater health care choice through the Veterans Access Act, ensuring veterans can seek timely care in their communities if the VA falls short. They also advocate for keeping the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which supports the high rate of veteran entrepreneurship, and call for a smarter, right-sized foreign policy that puts American interests first and avoids endless wars.
This episode dives deep into the personal motivations that fuel their work, the unique power of the veteran voice in policy discussions, and how real change starts with individuals sharing their stories directly with lawmakers.
Whether you’re a veteran, policymaker, or someone who simply cares about protecting freedom and opportunity—you’ll leave inspired by what these two are doing to make a difference.

The Escape That Sparked a Movement: Joshua Glover’s Fight for Freedom

What happens when a community refuses to accept injustice—even when it’s backed by federal law?
In this powerful episode of American Potential, host David From sits down with Michael Jahr, a seasoned communicator and first-time filmmaker, to share the incredible true story of Joshua Glover—a man born into slavery in Missouri who risked everything for freedom. After a harrowing 400-mile escape to Racine, Wisconsin, Glover finally experienced liberty—until slave catchers, armed with the Fugitive Slave Act, found and captured him.
But Glover’s story didn’t end in chains.
Outraged citizens of Milwaukee, from all backgrounds and political affiliations, rallied in the thousands to rescue him from jail—risking arrest, imprisonment, and their livelihoods to stand against an unjust law. Their courageous act not only helped Joshua Glover reach freedom in Canada—it lit the spark that would lead to the formation of the Republican Party.
Michael Jahr recounts how a forgotten plaque in a Milwaukee park led him to uncover this pivotal moment in American history. His short documentary Liberty at Stake is just the beginning of a larger effort to tell this story on a national stage. Together, he and David explore the ripple effects of Glover’s escape and the citizens who defended him—ordinary people who took bold action, ultimately helping change the course of history.
This episode is a reminder that the fight for freedom is often fueled by small acts of courage—and that telling these stories matters now more than ever.

Saving $237 Billion: A Smarter Retirement Plan for Future Federal Employees

In this episode of American Potential, host David From is joined by Jeremiah Mosteller, policy director at Americans for Prosperity, for the latest installment in the Big Ideas for Smaller Government series. The focus: the Office of Personnel Management (OPM)—the federal government’s HR department—and a surprising proposal that could save $237 billion without touching current employee benefits.
From the absurd reality of federal retirement files being processed in a limestone mine in Pennsylvania, to relocation costs nearing $170,000 per employee, the episode exposes waste and inefficiencies taxpayers rarely hear about.
But there’s good news: Jeremiah shares how shifting new federal employees to a modern, portable retirement plan—like a 401(k)—already the gold standard in the private sector—could generate massive long-term savings. And it wouldn’t change anything for current employees.
Listen to hear how smart reforms and private-sector solutions are helping DogE (the initiative to cut $2 trillion in wasteful federal spending) chip away at bureaucratic bloat—and how you can submit your own savings ideas at DogeIdea.com.

30% Less Red Tape? Sen. Roegner’s Fight to Unleash Ohio’s Economy

In this episode of American Potential, host David From sits down with Ohio State Senator Kristina Roegner, the lead sponsor of Senate Bill 9, a bold reform aimed at cutting 30% of Ohio’s regulations over three years. Senator Roegner walks through the inspiration for the bill—seeing Ohio tied with Illinois as one of the most overregulated states in America—and how the plan came together.
The legislation established a three-part strategy: eliminate two regulations for every new one introduced, reduce total regulations by 10% each year over three years, and launch a user-friendly website—CutRedTape.Ohio.gov—that empowers citizens to identify outdated or burdensome rules.
Sen. Roegner also explains how her background in engineering, finance, and consulting helped her approach regulatory reform with a data-driven mindset. She shares real-world success stories, including a hospital forced to install multiple small boilers due to an archaic rule dating back to the era before the Titanic.
David and Sen. Roegner also discuss the growing success of interstate licensing compacts—a common-sense effort she’s championed to help professionals like nurses and therapists move and work freely across state lines.
With half of Ohio agencies already hitting their reduction targets and the rest on track, Roegner’s work shows how local reforms can unleash economic growth, attract businesses, and empower everyday citizens to cut through government red tape.

Real Numbers, Real Impact: A Financial Advisor’s Case for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

In this eye-opening episode of American Potential, host David From sits down with David McNeilly, a financial advisor from Michigan, who shares how the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) has had a measurable, personal impact—not just on his clients, but on his own family’s financial freedom.
With a background in ministry and a passion for helping others, McNeilly now helps middle-class families navigate retirement planning, tax strategy, and long-term financial goals. But when he crunched the numbers comparing his 2023 tax bill under current rates versus pre-TCJA levels, the result shocked him: a $4,700 difference in annual tax savings—enough to take his family on a Disney cruise.
McNeilly walks listeners through how policies from Washington shape real lives, sharing stories of clients who have retired early, sent their kids to private school, or bought long-dreamed-of lake houses—opportunities made possible by smart planning and a more favorable tax environment.
He also explains how he's preparing clients for the potential expiration of TCJA, and why higher taxes could force middle-class families to rethink their futures.
If you want a clear, data-driven perspective on how federal tax policy affects everyday Americans—not the wealthy, but the working families—this episode delivers it straight from the source.

Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) on Locking In the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

In this next installment of American Potential, host David From shares a timely conversation featuring House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) and Fox News contributor and Americans for Prosperity Advisory Council member Guy Benson, recorded at the AFP Freedom Embassy in Washington, D.C.
Scalise breaks down the House-passed reconciliation bill designed to lock in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA)—a move aimed at preventing a $4.5 trillion tax hike scheduled for 2025. The legislation would secure tax relief for families, protect small businesses, eliminate taxes on tips and overtime, restore bonus depreciation, and make the 199A small business deduction permanent.
The bill also features aggressive mandatory spending reforms, work requirements in Medicaid and SNAP, border security investments, and energy production measures, echoing the agenda backed by voters in the last election.
This episode offers an inside look at the high-stakes legislative battle to keep more money in Americans’ pockets—and keep the economy growing.

Trapped by Red Tape: A West Virginia Family’s Fight for Better Birth Care

In this heartfelt episode of American Potential, host David From sits down with Ambrose and Mary Grace Rucker from West Virginia to share the powerful story of their son’s birth—and the barriers they faced just trying to find a hospital with a functioning NICU.
What should have been one of the most joyful moments of their lives became a race across state lines to find medical care. When Mary Grace developed preeclampsia late in her pregnancy, their only safe option was a hospital 90 minutes away in another state—because the closest in-state facility no longer had a NICU.
They aren’t alone. In large swaths of West Virginia, families face a harsh reality: limited prenatal options, shuttered facilities, and long drives for urgent care. Ambrose explains why Certificate of Need (CON) laws are to blame—antiquated regulations that give existing hospitals the power to block competitors from opening or expanding, even in underserved areas.
The Ruckers’ story puts a human face on how government red tape is endangering moms and babies. From the trauma of being separated from their newborn in the NICU to the lack of local birthing centers and OB care, their experience is a wake-up call. Ambrose is now advocating for CON repeal, fighting to make sure no other family has to go through what they did.
This episode is a moving reminder that policy has real-life consequences, and that freedom in healthcare starts with removing the barriers that prevent care from being delivered where it’s needed most.

Military Spouse. CEO. Job Creator: How Michelle Penczak Built a Business That Moves With You

In this inspiring episode of American Potential, host David From sits down with Michelle Penczak, a Marine spouse who turned rejection, resilience, and resourcefulness into a thriving business that now employs over 400 people—most of them military spouses just like her.
Michelle shares how she faced over 20 job rejections simply for being a military spouse before finally landing a virtual assistant role that changed everything. But when the company suddenly shut down, she didn’t give up—she kept her clients, built her own company from the ground up, and began hiring other military spouses who needed remote, flexible work that could move with them.
As the CEO of Squared Away, Michelle has built more than a business—she’s built a movement. She discusses how her company screens for qualities like proactiveness, overcommunication, and teamwork—skills military spouses often embody naturally. And her mission is paying off: Squared Away has paid out more than $28 million to military families, giving them income, stability, and dignity.
Michelle also opens up about her personal journey—navigating deployments, motherhood, and even pregnancy while launching a business—and shares a powerful story of hiring a fellow military mom who had experienced unthinkable tragedy, giving her a second chance at purpose and leadership.
This episode is a masterclass in grit, heart, and the power of saying "yes" when the world says "no."

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.