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410 episodes

50 Stars, 50 Stories: Oregon, Massachusetts & Arizona with Ross Connolly and Stephen Shadegg
2026/2/19 | 23 mins.
Americans are capable of achieving extraordinary things when they have the freedom and opportunity to do so. This is American Potential, and in this episode, host David From continues the “50 Stars, 50 Stories” series with a February-themed deep dive into the states that joined the Union during this month.

David is joined by Ross Connolly, Americans for Prosperity’s regional state director for the Northeast, and Stephen Shadegg, AFP’s state director in Arizona. Together, they test their knowledge with fast-paced trivia covering Oregon, Massachusetts, and Arizona—touching on everything from the Oregon Trail and Salem’s witch trials to the Grand Canyon and Pluto’s discovery in Flagstaff.

But the conversation doesn’t stop at history. Ross and Stephen also share what’s happening today in their regions. Stephen discusses Arizona’s housing affordability crisis, energy policy, and long-term infrastructure challenges tied to rapid growth. Ross highlights how voters across the Northeast are pushing back against rising costs driven by bad energy and housing policy, and why there’s real hope even in states that often get overlooked in national conversations.

It’s a lively mix of American history, state pride, and forward-looking policy—proof that understanding where we came from can help shape where we’re going next.
Emily Seidel on America 250, One Small Step, and Restoring the American Dream
2026/2/17 | 19 mins.
In this episode of American Potential, host David From sits down with Emily Seidel, CEO of Americans for Prosperity, live from Philadelphia as the America 250 celebrations begin. Together, they reflect on the founding principles that shaped the nation — self-governance, individual liberty, and the belief that our rights come from our Creator — and why those ideas are still essential 250 years later.

As pride in America declines and more people feel the American Dream is out of reach, Emily explains how the One Small Step campaign is working to restore hope and personal agency. From grassroots activism to empowering citizens to take meaningful action in their communities, this conversation explores how everyday Americans can recommit to the values that made the country exceptional — and help shape the next 250 years of freedom.
Love at the Phone Bank: Pat Sterck & Bo Bolling’s New Mexico VOLentine Story
2026/2/12 | 22 mins.
In this special VOLentine’s Day episode of American Potential, host David From shares the heartwarming story of Pat Sterck and Bo Bolling, two New Mexico volunteers in their 70s who met while serving their community — and unexpectedly found love. What started as volunteering with the AFP New Mexico team turned into friendship, then romance, and eventually marriage.

Pat and Bo talk about how shared values, faith, civic engagement, and a commitment to making their state better brought them together. From phone banking to an engagement celebration at the AFP office, the New Mexico AFP team even played a role in their love story. It’s a joyful reminder that it’s never too late for new beginnings — and that sometimes love shows up when you’re simply showing up to serve.
How Kentucky’s Gatton Academy Is Redefining STEM Education for High-Achieving Students
2026/2/05 | 29 mins.
In this episode of American Potential, host David From sits down with Lynette Breedlove, director of Kentucky’s Gatton Academy, to explore how one innovative public program is transforming opportunities for gifted and high-achieving students across the Commonwealth. Located on the campus of Western Kentucky University, Gatton Academy gives students the chance to complete their final two years of high school while earning college credit in a rigorous STEM-focused environment.

Lynette explains how the academy was built to meet both the academic and social needs of students who are often underserved by traditional school systems, why flexibility and specialization matter in public education, and how Gatton helps combat brain drain while strengthening Kentucky’s future workforce. From cutting-edge labs to real-world outcomes, this conversation highlights what’s possible when education is designed to help students reach their full potential.
New Hampshire Right to Try: Michael Yakubovich’s Fight for Patients’ Freedom to Choose
2026/1/29 | 27 mins.
In this episode of American Potential, host David From talks with Sarah Scott about the remarkable story of Michael Yakubovich and the successful push to pass Right to Try legislation in New Hampshire. A former state representative, Michael was diagnosed with a terminal illness and quickly ran into the harsh reality many patients face: limited treatment options and government barriers standing between them and potential hope.

Rather than accept those limits, Michael turned his personal fight into a cause. After being forced to travel to other states in search of experimental treatments, he worked with lawmakers to expand Right to Try so patients in New Hampshire could access innovative care without unnecessary red tape. His advocacy helped ensure that others facing life-threatening illnesses wouldn’t have to leave their home state just to pursue a chance at treatment.

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About American Potential

American Potential is a national award-winning podcast that shares how individuals are taking action in their communities to break barriers. While some of our guests may be public officials or influencers, many are ordinary Americans who decided, “enough is enough,” and are stepping up in a big way. We share policy solutions to the most important challenges our country faces and talk to people who are doing something about it. Our hope is that when you hear about other people’s stories of success – and struggle – you will realize that you are capable of doing extraordinary things within your own community and know that you are not alone. David From, a Regional Vice President at Americans for Prosperity, hosts the American Potential podcast. David brings a wealth of experience in grassroots advocacy and a deep commitment to advancing freedom and opportunity for all Americans. American Potential has earned multiple prestigious honors for its impact and excellence in storytelling: Platinum Award at the 2024 Viddy Awards for the episode featuring Mike Rowe, recognized in the long-form podcast category. Gold Award at the 18th Annual w3 Awards in the News and Politics Podcast category. Award of Distinction at the 31st Annual Communicator Awards in the Individual Episodes – Political category for the episode “Eco-Regulation Gone Wrong: The Unintended Costs of Colorado’s Climate Laws.” These awards—judged by experts from organizations like Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and the Smithsonian—highlight the podcast’s effectiveness in elevating compelling stories of freedom, innovation, and citizen-led change.

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