American Potential

From a Sandwich Board to the Statehouse: State Representative Tony McCombie’s Journey to Leadership

Sometimes, the smallest frustrations can spark the biggest changes. In this episode of American Potential, host David From talks with State Representative Tony McCombie, the first female Republican Leader in the Illinois House of Representatives, about how a dispute over a sandwich board sign outside her small café inspired her to run for office—and ultimately lead her state’s GOP caucus.
Rep. McCombie shares her journey from small-town business owner and mayor to becoming one of Illinois’ most influential conservative voices. She opens up about learning from early political defeats, championing small-town values in Springfield, and finding purpose through public service. Her story is proof that one small step, driven by conviction and community pride, can lead to extraordinary leadership and lasting impact.

From Crisis to Reform: Building a Sustainable Medicaid for Tomorrow

As America ages, states face a tough question: how do we fund long-term care and protect the truly vulnerable without crowding out everything else? In this episode of American Potential, host David From talks with Brian Blase, President of the Paragon Health Institute, about why Medicaid’s design is straining state budgets—and what to do about it. Blase explains how open-ended federal matching, expansion to able-bodied adults, and “legalized money-laundering” schemes (like provider taxes) have warped incentives—paying up to seven times more federal dollars for able-bodied adults than for seniors and people with disabilities.
Blase lays out a reform roadmap: ideally block-grant Medicaid, but in the near term level the federal match across eligibility groups, curb provider-tax loopholes, tighten eligibility reviews, and require community engagement for able-bodied adults—so states can prioritize long-term care and home- and community-based services for aging Americans. If you want a clear, practical plan to keep Medicaid sustainable while strengthening the safety net, this conversation is your briefing.

From Shrimp Boats to Statehouse: Scott Simon’s Louisiana Playbook

 
How do you go from hauling shrimp on the Gulf to hauling big reforms through Baton Rouge? In this episode of American Potential, host David From sits down with Scott Simon, State Director for Americans for Prosperity–Louisiana, to trace his unlikely path: fisherman, construction hand, designer, community volunteer, state legislator, and now grassroots leader. Scott shares the “one small step” moments—raking baseball fields after his kids’ games, organizing neighbors, knocking doors—that pulled him into public service and taught him how ordinary people create extraordinary change.
Then Scott lays out Louisiana’s recent reform surge and why he calls 2024 a breakthrough year: a universal school-choice program opening opportunity to every student, a simplified 3% flat individual income tax and broader tax reforms that set the table for future elimination, and pro-growth regulatory changes aimed at making the state a magnet for jobs and investment. He also reveals the ground game behind the wins—recruiting policy champions, mobilizing volunteers, and reminding citizens that good policy follows engaged people. If you’ve ever looked at a problem and thought “somebody should do something,” Scott’s story is your blueprint to start.

Joyful Learning: How Families and Teachers Are Redefining Education

Education is changing—and fast. In this episode of American Potential, host David From sits down with Kerry McDonald, author of the new book Joyful Learning: How to Find Freedom, Happiness, and Success Beyond Conventional Schooling. Kerry shares how homeschooling, micro schools, and learning collaboratives are creating a new era of education freedom—where parents and teachers design learning environments that fit every child’s unique needs.
From former public school teachers launching innovative micro schools to families discovering flexible, affordable, and even tuition-free learning options through school choice policies, Kerry highlights the growing movement toward personalized, empowering education. Whether you’re a parent, educator, or policymaker, this conversation offers a hopeful look at how joyful, student-centered learning is reshaping what it means to go to school in America.

Why Donor Privacy Matters: Free Speech, Philanthropy, and the Right to Give

In this episode of American Potential, host David From sits down with Lawson Bader, president and CEO of DonorsTrust, to unpack why donor privacy is essential to free speech and a healthy civil society. Bader explains how efforts to expose donors—often fueled by political grudges, social-media pile-ons, and envy—chill participation and warp the relationship between citizens and the state. He traces the principle back through landmark Supreme Court rulings, makes the case that “transparency is for government, privacy is for citizens,” and warns against tit-for-tat attempts by either party to unmask supporters.
The conversation also digs into the practical side of philanthropy: how donor-advised funds help preserve intent, why generational wealth so often drifts away from founders’ values, and where the real action is today—at the state level, where regulations and donor-privacy fights are heating up. Whether you give $50 or $5 million, this episode lays out why protecting privacy isn’t about secrecy—it’s about safeguarding pluralism, encouraging generosity, and ensuring ideas compete on their merits, not on the intimidation of their supporters.

Rethinking Charity: From Handouts to Hope with James Whitford

In this inspiring episode of American Potential, host David From sits down with James Whitford, founder of True Charity in Joplin, Missouri. What began as a heartfelt effort to serve the homeless through Watered Gardens Ministry became a journey of discovery about what truly helps people escape poverty. Whitford shares how he realized that one-way charity—simply giving without accountability—was trapping people in dependency rather than setting them free. His transformative model focuses on restoring dignity through work, reciprocity, and personal responsibility, helping individuals rediscover their worth and potential.
Now, through True Charity, Whitford is teaching nonprofits and churches nationwide how to move from relief to empowerment. He explains why America faces a “crisis of dependency,” how toxic charity has taken root in both public and private aid, and how local organizations can lead a national shift toward outcomes-driven, privately funded, work-oriented solutions. This episode is a powerful reminder that real compassion doesn’t just meet needs—it unleashes potential.

The Power Behind AI: How Data Centers and Nuclear Energy Could Shape America’s Future

Host David From sits down with Chris Koopman, CEO of the Abundance Institute, to unpack why data centers—the backbone of our digital lives and the rise of AI—are straining America’s electric grid, and how policy is either clearing the runway or clogging it. Koopman explains the explosive growth in compute demand, why years-long permitting and legacy rules are the real bottlenecks, and how states can welcome next-gen infrastructure without sacrificing reliability for “grandma’s AC.” He also highlights creative solutions—from private grids to siting innovation—and why permitting reform is essential if we want abundant, affordable power.
Then, the conversation turns to nuclear’s resurgence, especially advanced and small modular reactors that promise safer, scalable, always-on energy to meet AI’s round-the-clock needs. Koopman makes the case for empowering communities through competition and choice: defend open-source AI, let startups flourish, and allow states to pick the energy mix that fits their resources—whether that’s gas, wind, solar, or nuclear. If America wants to lead the next industrial revolution, we need an “abundance mindset” that unleashes builders and modernizes the rules holding them back.

Reinventing Dentistry: How Direct Primary Care Inspired a Dental Revolution

What happens when two Tennesseans take a proven healthcare model and apply it to dentistry? In this episode of American Potential, host David From sits down with Tamara Stillwell, office manager and registered dental assistant at Athens Dental Center, to share the story of how she and her husband created the nation’s first full-service dental co-op.
Frustrated by the limits of insurance—denials, delays, and skyrocketing costs—the Stillwells drew inspiration from direct primary care and built a membership-based model that puts patients and providers back in control. Discover how their United Dental Co-op helps patients save money, reduces stress for dentists, and restores the doctor–patient relationship to what it should be: focused on care, not paperwork.
This conversation is about innovation, freedom, and opportunity in action—proving that when people see a problem, they can create solutions that work for everyone.

Why Did the Government Shut Down? A Conversation with Chairman Tom Cole

In this special American Potential Now episode, host David From sits down with Congressman Tom Cole, Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, to unpack the recent government shutdown that began at midnight on September 30th. They dive into the causes, failed negotiations in the Senate, and what was really in the so-called “clean” continuing resolution.
Chairman Cole also discusses the broader challenges of federal spending, runaway debt, and the urgent need for entitlement reform. Whether you're trying to understand how Congress funds the government or what it will take to restore fiscal discipline, this is a must-listen conversation packed with insight, candor, and clarity.
🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

Walls, Gates, and Local Wisdom: Fixing Border Security the Smart Way

On this episode of American Potential, host David From welcomes back Jordan Fischetti, Immigration Policy Fellow at Americans for Prosperity, for a deep dive into the border security provisions of the Working Family Tax Cut Act—or what some are calling the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” Jordan explains the bill's $46.55 billion investment in border infrastructure, including walls, roads, and cutting-edge technology. But it’s not just about building more wall—it’s about building smarter.
They explore why local knowledge from Border Patrol agents on the ground is key to effective border solutions, how legal immigration pathways can help reduce illegal crossings, and why morale among border agents has been so low—and how to fix it. From drones and AI to the moral crisis of unaccompanied minors, this conversation goes far beyond headlines to tackle both the challenges and solutions in securing America’s borders.
🎧 Tune in for facts, thoughtful discussion, and a roadmap for what real reform could look like.