American Potential

2025 American Potential Year-End Review: Stories, Wins, and Lessons from the Road

In the final episode of 2025, host David From is joined by the American Potential podcast team to reflect on a year of major transitions, memorable guests, and powerful stories from across the country. They discuss stepping into a new chapter for the show, how the team finds and tells “one small step” stories, and the moments that stood out most—from deep dives into government waste to the real-world impact of the working families tax cuts.
The conversation also highlights travel episodes like the eye-opening Yuma, Arizona border trip and its connection to America’s food supply, favorite interviews from the year, and what the team is most excited about heading into 2026 as the nation approaches America’s 250th anniversary.

Permitting Reform and American Energy for the AI Revolution with Kent Strang

As America heads into an AI-driven future, energy demand, innovation, and economic competitiveness are all colliding. In this episode of American Potential, host David From talks with Kent Strang, Managing Director at Americans for Prosperity, about the major policy wins of 2025 and what’s coming next.
They break down the passage of the working families tax cuts, why grassroots advocacy made the difference, and how cutting red tape through permitting reform is essential to lowering energy costs and powering data centers needed for AI. The conversation also covers border security improvements, state-level regulatory reforms, education freedom victories, and why unleashing American energy is a national security and economic priority as the country approaches its 250th anniversary.

John Vick on Restoring Congress’s Role in War Powers and Preventing Endless Wars

On this episode of American Potential, host David From is joined by John Vick, Executive Director of Concerned Veterans for America, for a year-end conversation focused on restoring Congress’s constitutional role in decisions of war and peace.
John explains why repealing outdated Authorizations for Use of Military Force—passed in the wake of 9/11 with no sunset clauses—is essential to reestablishing accountability and preventing endless, open-ended conflicts. With most of the lawmakers who approved those authorizations no longer in office, the episode highlights growing bipartisan agreement that Congress must reclaim its responsibility when Americans are sent into harm’s way.
The discussion also covers CVA’s major work this year, including advancing the Veterans Access Act to improve timely health care for veterans, and how grassroots advocacy helped drive real policy change. John shares what’s ahead for CVA in 2026 as the organization continues empowering veterans and citizens nationwide to engage in the democratic process.
 

LIBRE Executive Director Sandra Benitez on Empowering Hispanic Communities and 250 Years of Freedom

As 2026 approaches, host David From continues a year-end series with leaders across the Stand Together community—looking back at key wins from the past year and what’s ahead.
In this episode, Sandra Benitez, Executive Director of The LIBRE Initiative, explains how LIBRE empowers Hispanic Americans through limited-government principles, grassroots leadership, and policy advocacy in 13 states and in Washington, D.C. Sandra shares how LIBRE helped mobilize Hispanic communities around major federal tax policy—through education, local events, and direct engagement with lawmakers—and why the economy remains the top issue for Hispanic voters.
Looking ahead to 2026, Sandra outlines LIBRE’s plans to help celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, expand civics education, and reconnect more Hispanics to the nation’s founding principles. Plus, LIBRE prepares to mark its own milestone—15 years of grassroots impact in Hispanic communities nationwide.

50 Stars, 50 Stories: The States That Joined the Union in December

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, and Iowa.
Through stories, historical moments, and memorable facts, the conversation highlights what makes each of these states unique—from early capitals and constitutional firsts to cultural landmarks, iconic events, and the role these states continue to play in American life today.
This episode is part of a month-by-month journey through America’s states, reminding us that the story of the United States is best told one star at a time.

Feeding America at the Border: Cory Mellon on Farming, Labor, and Food Security

 
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 legal farm labor, why generational workers are essential to the industry, and what happens when that system breaks down.
Cory also shares firsthand insight into the economic impact of nonworkers moving through active fields, the food-safety risks farmers face when fields are disrupted, and how a federal government shutdown delayed worker processing—threatening the harvest during a critical picking season.
This conversation highlights the connection between secure borders, legal labor, and America’s food supply, and why getting immigration policy right matters far beyond the border.

Life on the Border: Mayor Douglas Nicholls on Yuma, Immigration, and the Rule of Law

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 local law enforcement, emergency services, nonprofits, and residents, as well as the humanitarian toll on migrants caught in cartel-controlled systems. He explains why chaos at the border harms everyone involved — and why the rule of law, legal immigration, and secure borders are essential to protecting both people and communities.
This conversation offers a rare, on-the-ground perspective from a border-town mayor who has lived the reality most Americans only see from afar.

Former Border Patrol Chief Chris Clem on Securing the Border and Protecting Migrant Children

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 Beautiful Bill. He breaks down why border security isn’t just about immigration, but also economic security, food security, and community safety, especially in an area that supplies much of America’s produce.
The conversation also tackles one of the most heartbreaking consequences of the border crisis: unaccompanied migrant children. Clem shares updates on efforts to locate, rescue, and protect tens of thousands of missing children who were lost under previous policies, emphasizing why this is not a partisan issue—but a moral American responsibility.
This episode offers an inside look at what real border enforcement looks like on the ground, why morale among Border Patrol agents has rebounded, and what it will take to ensure long-term security and accountability.

Sen. Jon Husted on Why America Needs a Principles-Based Balanced Budget Amendment

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 debt and over $1 trillion in annual interest payments—more than the entire budget of nearly every nation on earth. He shares why past balanced budget efforts have failed, how his Principles-Based Balanced Budget Amendment would work, and why a 10-year runway and a two-thirds vote for emergency deficit spending make his approach both realistic and necessary.
The Senator also breaks down the connection between federal overspending, inflation, higher interest rates, and the affordability crisis hitting families nationwide. He explains why Americans across the political spectrum are ready for fiscal discipline—if they can trust Congress to actually follow through.
A must-listen for anyone concerned about America’s financial future—and what it will take to secure it for generations to come.

Food Truck Owner John Leddy on Alabama’s Red Tape and the Fight for Permit Reform

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 jurisdiction into county areas, food truck operators can unknowingly cross invisible boundaries and suddenly find themselves operating illegally.
After years of dealing with inconsistent enforcement and bureaucratic delays, John is now working to support legislation that would simplify and standardize the permitting process statewide—making it easier for food truck owners to comply with the law, grow their businesses, and serve their communities.