American Potential

Targeted in Michigan: Marlena Pavlos-Hackney and Helen Brinkman Fight Unconstitutional Lockdowns

Host David From continues the story of Marlena Pavlos-Hackney, a Michigan restaurant owner who refused to close during the pandemic after the state’s first round of executive orders was ruled unconstitutional. Joined by her attorney, Helen Brinkman, Marlena recounts being singled out by state leadership, arrested, fined, and jailed—despite unequal enforcement and conflicting rulings—after she chose to keep serving her community.
Brinkman walks through the legal maze: administrative suspensions, contempt findings, and split decisions that could set a statewide precedent on executive power, due process, and equal protection. Together they explain why Marlena’s case now aims for the United States Supreme Court—and why the outcome matters for every Michigander who expects leaders to follow the same rules they impose on the people.

Surviving Communism, Resisting COVID Lockdowns: Marlena Pavlos-Hackney’s Story

In this episode of American Potential, host David From sits down with Marlena Pavlos-Hackney, who grew up under the weight of communist rule in Poland before finding freedom and opportunity in America. She shares vivid memories of empty store shelves, ration cards, and the solidarity movement that helped bring down the Iron Curtain—experiences that instilled in her a deep appreciation for liberty.
Marlena eventually built her American dream, opening a restaurant in Michigan and serving her community for decades. But in 2020, government lockdown orders threatened to take it all away. Rather than close her doors, she chose to resist mandates she believed echoed the heavy hand of the regime she left behind. In part one of her powerful story, Marlena reflects on her journey from surviving communism to defying destructive COVID restrictions in defense of freedom.

The Common Man’s Journey: Jimmie Smith on Service, Sacrifice, and Civic Leadership

What does it look like when an ordinary American, with no political pedigree, takes one small step to get involved and ends up reshaping his community? In this episode of American Potential, host David From welcomes Jimmie Smith, Brand Development Director at Concerned Veterans for America, to share his remarkable story.
Jimmie’s path began in the woods of Florida, where as a boy he dreamed of serving his country. He left high school early, joined the Army at 17, and spent 20 years in uniform. But when he returned home, his passion for America didn’t end with his military career. Frustrated by a local politician’s call for higher taxes during the recession, Jimmie decided to run for office—not with a war chest or political machine, but with conviction and support from friends and neighbors.
In this conversation, Jimmie reflects on what it meant to campaign as a self-described “common man,” challenge entrenched voices, and bring a veteran’s perspective to the Florida House. He shares candid stories from the floor of the legislature—including a passionate speech that nearly ended his career but instead earned him respect—and explains why he fought to replace government handouts with real opportunities for veterans.
Today, Jimmie continues his mission through advocacy, helping veterans use their voices to defend freedom and expand opportunity for all Americans. His journey proves that service doesn’t end with a uniform, and that one small step—taken by anyone—can change the course of a community, a state, or even a nation.

50 Stars, 50 Stories: Colorado, Missouri, and Hawaii Trivia with Jesse Mallory and Camelia Peterson

As America approaches its 250th birthday, American Potential is launching a new series, 50 Stars, 50 Stories, highlighting the unique history and culture of each state in the Union. In this first installment, host David From is joined by Jesse Mallory, Regional Director in Colorado, and Camelia Peterson, Legislative Liaison in Missouri, for a lively round of state trivia about Colorado, Missouri, and Hawaii—the three states that joined the Union in August.
From the Missouri Compromise and the origins of the “Show Me State,” to Colorado’s dramatic road to statehood, to Hawaii’s path from kingdom to the 50th star on the flag, this episode blends fun facts with deeper reflections on state identity and freedom. Listeners will also hear about the important policy work AFP teams are leading in Missouri and Colorado to expand opportunity and protect taxpayers.
This engaging mix of history, trivia, and grassroots stories sets the stage for a yearlong journey through America’s states, reminding us of the diverse traditions and shared values that make up the fabric of the nation.

Freedom to Choose Where You Live: How One Iowa Coalition Transformed Housing Policy

In this episode of American Potential, host David From sits down with Paige Yontz, Advocacy Manager in Iowa, to explore an innovative housing reform that’s reshaping how families care for aging parents, empower young professionals, and protect property rights. Paige was instrumental in leading a diverse coalition—from aging advocates to housing manufacturers and policy champions—that secured the passage of a groundbreaking Iowa law legalizing accessory dwelling units (ADUs) statewide.
They discuss how ADUs provide practical, cost-effective options for families who want loved ones close while maintaining independence, and how a coalition with seemingly unlikely allies—advocates for aging, property rights, and housing innovation—came together to get it done. From city zoning challenges to bipartisan strategy and coalition storytelling, this episode is a behind-the-scenes look at how smart, personal, and local policy changes can open doors to more freedom and opportunity.
If you’ve ever struggled with housing costs, aging parents, or restrictive local ordinances, this episode will give you hope—and a blueprint.

From Red Tape to Real Care: How Dr. Wheeler Is Restoring Medicine

In this inspiring episode of American Potential, host David From speaks with Dr. Chaminie Wheeler, a pediatrician who walked away from the traditional hospital system to launch a direct primary care (DPC) practice—putting patients, not paperwork, at the center of healthcare.
Raised in a small village in Sri Lanka, Dr. Wheeler’s passion for helping others began at a young age and followed her to Pennsylvania, where she built CCC Health from the ground up with help from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. She shares how the broken insurance-based model shackled her ability to treat patients with compassion and clarity. From unnecessary CT scans to delayed diagnoses, Dr. Wheeler reveals how bureaucracy often prevents real healing—and why DPC offers a better way forward.
This episode dives deep into the challenges independent doctors face, the critical role of expanded Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), and how innovation thrives when government steps back. Dr. Wheeler’s story is a reminder that when we trust doctors and empower patients, we unlock the real potential of American healthcare.

How Rafael Arroyo Took On State Bureaucracy and Protected His Dream

Most people try to avoid the long lines and frustrations that come with vehicle registration and emissions testing. But Rafael Arroyo saw an opportunity to turn that frustration into a service—and a business. In Las Vegas, he combined emissions testing with vehicle registration services, saving people time and hassle. But the state’s motor vehicle agency didn’t like the competition. They shut him down and made it nearly impossible to continue.
On this episode of American Potential, host David From talks with Rafael about how he fought back. With his business on the line, Rafael didn’t quit—he built relationships with local legislators, rallied other entrepreneurs, and worked through the political process to pass legislation that protected not only his business but an entire industry. His story is a powerful example of how one person can push back against government overreach—and win.
If you’ve ever felt powerless against red tape or regulations, this conversation will inspire you to take action. Rafael reminds us that freedom and opportunity aren’t just ideals—they’re something we must defend, one step at a time.

Taxpayer Outrage: How the Government Wasted Millions on Parties and Empty Buildings

In this Big Ideas for Smaller Government episode of American Potential, host David From is joined by Jeremiah Mosteller, Policy Director at Americans for Prosperity, to expose the wasteful spending and inefficiencies at the General Services Administration (GSA)—the federal agency responsible for managing office buildings, procurement, and travel across the U.S. government.
They revisit the infamous $800,000 Las Vegas conference scandal, complete with a $30,000 pool party and a 2,400 sq. ft. hotel suite—paid for by taxpayers. They also uncover the GSA's multi-billion-dollar mismanagement of a long-delayed Department of Homeland Security headquarters and reveal that the federal government is using just 25% of the office space it occupies.
David and Jeremiah lay out a plan to save $1.88 billion over the next decade by selling underused federal buildings—many of which are sitting empty—and call on Congress to step up and demand accountability.
This episode is a revealing look at how cutting GSA waste is one more step toward saving taxpayers trillions.

From Humble Beginnings to Congress: Monica De La Cruz on Protecting the American Dream

In this special episode of American Potential, guest host Daniel Garza sits down with Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz during LIBRE’s Fly-In event to discuss the shifting political landscape among Hispanic Americans, especially in South Texas. As the first Hispanic female Republican to serve a full term from her district, Congresswoman De La Cruz shares her inspiring personal journey from humble beginnings to public service.
She addresses critical topics such as the rejection of socialism within Latino communities, the importance of faith, family, and freedom, and the economic progress driven by pro-growth policies like the 2017 tax cuts and the One Big Beautiful Bill. The conversation also highlights her legislative efforts on immigration reform, border security, and agricultural support, including her work on the Braseto 2.0 program to protect immigrant workers and farmers’ livelihoods. They explore how grassroots activism is energizing Latino voters and reshaping traditionally Democratic strongholds.
This episode offers an insightful look into the principles and policies that Congresswoman De La Cruz champions to secure the American Dream for hardworking Latino families and communities nationwide. Tune in for a compelling dialogue about opportunity, civic engagement, and the future of Hispanic political participation.

Lighting the Way: How South Dakota PAs Overcame Barriers to Revolutionize Rural Healthcare Access

In this compelling episode of *American Potential*, host David From sits down with Kayla Frank and Echo Kopplin, two dedicated physician associates from South Dakota who led the charge to pass a groundbreaking bill removing the requirement for physician oversight in PA practice. They share the years of perseverance, grassroots advocacy, and strategic relationship-building that finally broke down regulatory red tape, enabling PAs to practice with greater autonomy and flexibility.
The conversation dives deep into the challenges they faced within a complex political environment and how they maintained a positive, patient-focused message to overcome opposition. Kayla and Echo also explore the broader impact of this legislation on healthcare access, especially in rural and underserved areas of South Dakota, where physician shortages make autonomous PA practice vital.
They discuss how the change levels the playing field with nurse practitioners, reduces administrative burdens, and allows healthcare teams to better tailor their models to local community needs. This episode offers a powerful example of American grassroots advocacy in action and highlights how removing unnecessary barriers can expand healthcare access and improve outcomes for all.