American Potential

$554 Billion in USDA Waste? The Case for a Unified Welfare System

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 programs—many run by the USDA—American 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 hubs—spending $20 million to teach fertilizer use in countries like Brazil and Pakistan.
Jeremiah shares domestic and international models—like Project Unity in Texas and Estonia’s revolutionary e-verification system—that 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 Congress—and a challenge to rethink how government assistance is delivered.
🔗 For more, visit AmericanPotential.com

Building on Her Father’s Sacrifice: Monet Bacs’ Fight for the American Dream

What would you sacrifice for freedom? For Monet Bacs, Strategic Director at the LIBRE Initiative in Arizona, her father's answer was clear—everything. 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 couldn’t find at home.
Arriving in the U.S. as a teenage exchange student who spoke no English, Monet’s father built a life rooted in hard work, sacrifice, and unwavering belief in the American Dream. “I’d rather be homeless in America than live under tyranny,” he once said—and he lived those words, choosing struggle in freedom over comfort in oppression.
Monet also opens up about her grandfather’s horrifying experience in communist Cuba and how her father’s 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 healthcare—carrying forward the legacy of sacrifice and service passed down by her father.
It’s a powerful story of resilience, purpose, and what it truly means to honor freedom.
🔗 Learn more about the LIBRE Initiative at: https://thelibreinitiative.com

From Holocaust Survivors to Policy Reformer: Henry Kriegel’s Fight to Protect the American Dream

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 Prosperity–Montana, to hear the extraordinary story of his parents—Holocaust 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 Henry’s 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 people—not government.
Whether he’s advocating for tax reform, educational freedom, or helping elect leaders like U.S. Senator Tim Sheehy, Henry’s passion is rooted in the belief that liberty is fragile—and must be fiercely defended for future generations.
🎧 Discover more at: americanpotential.com

From Army Veteran to Entrepreneur: How Chris Thomas Is Building Business and Opportunity in Ohio

Chris Thomas didn’t plan on becoming a business owner—but 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 jobs—not 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 you’re a veteran, entrepreneur, parent, or policy advocate, Chris’s story will leave you inspired.
🎧 Learn more at: americanpotential.com

From the Frontlines to Reform: John Vick and Concerned Veterans for America’s Fight for Real Change

What happens after service members take off the uniform—but 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 sacrificed—and now refuse to stand on the sidelines.
This episode isn’t just about veterans—it’s 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/

From Communist Nicaragua to the American Dream: Rommel Lopez’s Journey of Service and Opportunity

What does it mean to risk everything for freedom—and 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 Prosperity–Florida, 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 Vinson—defending 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.
Rommel’s story isn’t just inspiring—it’s a call to action.

$800 Million in Misspent Funds? What’s Really Going On at the Department of Energy

An audit revealed $800 million in misspent taxpayer dollars at the Department of Energy—and 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 America’s 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 DOE’s track record raises serious questions. And with the total potential taxpayer savings in this series now at $549.5 billion, it’s clear there’s a lot more to cut.
Think you’ve got an idea to reduce government waste? Submit yours at DogeIdea.com.

The Dog That Changed Everything: How Bolt Helped a Veteran Reclaim His Life

After surviving a rocket-propelled grenade attack in Afghanistan, Chris Enget returned home to a new battle—one 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 life—on 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 veterans—helping 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 isn’t just a story about a veteran and a dog—it’s about resilience, healing, and the potential every American has when they’re supported with the right tools.

Paperwork, Politics, and $30K Lost: One Business Owner’s Fight for Freedom

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 company—not because of fraud or abuse, but because of a minor administrative mistake.
Chase walks us through how the Biden administration’s “zero tolerance” 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 isn’t just bureaucratic—it’s personal, and it’s threatening the future of Main Street businesses across America.
But it’s 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 what’s at stake for business owners and working families if Congress doesn’t act.
From navigating audits and red tape to surviving targeted regulation and building a legacy with his family, Chase’s story is a powerful reminder of why economic freedom matters—and how it’s under threat.
If you care about protecting small businesses, keeping the American Dream alive, and making government work for the people—not against them—this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

From Communist Cuba to the American Dream: Heydi Martínez’s Journey to Freedom

What happens when a young girl raised under communism is given a second chance—in the land of the free?
In this gripping episode of American Potential, host David From sits down with Heydi Martínez, a courageous woman who grew up under Cuba’s 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 mode—brushing 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 doesn’t arrive overnight—it 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 you’ve ever needed a reason to believe in the power of liberty, this is it.