Wisconsin Cigar Lounge Ban: Restoring Local Choice & Free-Market Competition
On this episode of American Potential, host David From sits down with Ethan Sanchez (Grassroots Engagement Director, Americans for Prosperity–Wisconsin) and Marine Corps veteran Jim Thompson to unpack a little-known piece of Wisconsin law: it’s illegal to open a new cigar lounge in the state.
Because of Wisconsin’s Clean Indoor Air Act, only a handful of pre-2009 cigar lounges are allowed to operate—creating a de facto state-protected monopoly and shutting out entrepreneurs like Jim, who has a full business plan, funding, and community impact model ready to go.
Ethan and Jim explain:
How Wisconsin’s smoking ban grandfathered old lounges but banned new ones
Why modern lounges in other states have far better air purification and cleaner environments
How the new bill (SB/AB 211) would not force lounges on any town, but simply return the decision to local communities
What this change would mean for jobs, tax revenue, and cigar lovers who just want a place to gather and build real relationships
If you care about entrepreneurship, local control, and letting adults make adult choices, this conversation will light you up like a good cigar.
--------
26:48
--------
26:48
How the One Big Beautiful Bill Expands HSAs, Direct Primary Care & Telehealth Access
On this episode of American Potential, host David From welcomes back Dean Clancy, Senior Health Policy Fellow at Americans for Prosperity, to break down the major health care wins inside the One Big Beautiful Bill passed this summer.
Dean explains how the bill expands access to Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), allowing millions more Americans to save tax-free for health care. Even more exciting — HSA funds can now be used for Direct Primary Care (DPC) subscriptions and telehealth, giving families easier, more affordable access to their preferred doctors without insurance gatekeeping.
Dean also highlights key reforms in Medicaid and Obamacare subsidies, what’s still needed to deliver true hassle-free health care, and how AFP’s Personal Option campaign continues to push for more freedom and affordability in the health system.
If you want to understand how the new law impacts your wallet—and why it’s a major victory for health care freedom—this is an episode you won’t want to miss.
--------
32:12
--------
32:12
How the One Big Beautiful Bill Shields Americans From Massive Tax Hikes
On this episode of American Potential, host David From sits down with Patrick Fleenor, the Tax Policy Fellow for Americans for Prosperity, to break down how the One Big Beautiful Bill stopped the largest tax hike in U.S. history. Patrick explains how the bill simplifies parts of the tax code, keeps more money in the hands of families and job creators, and strengthens pro-growth policies like full expensing and R&D deductions.
They also tackle common myths about who benefits from tax cuts, discuss the ongoing fight over the SALT deduction, and highlight how entitlement spending—rather than too little taxation—is driving America’s long-term fiscal challenges. This episode is a clear, practical guide to understanding why the bill is such a big win for workers, small businesses, and the broader economy.
--------
30:52
--------
30:52
Spike Cohen: Exposing CPS Abuse and Helping Families Fight Back
In this episode of American Potential, host David From sits down with Spike Cohen, founder and president of You Are The Power, to talk about how ordinary people can push back against extraordinary government abuse—and win. From eminent domain land grabs to “medical kidnapping” and CPS overreach, Spike shares how his organization uses public pressure and storytelling to force officials to do the right thing.
Spike explains how his 2020 vice-presidential run opened his eyes to countless local injustices that couldn’t wait for a future election. That led him to build a model that combines viral storytelling with simple, concrete calls to action—like one-click emails to key decision-makers—that has produced a near-100% success rate in stopping bad government actions.
You’ll hear the heartbreaking and ultimately hopeful story of Matt and Tucky Hernandez, whose daughters were taken after a misdiagnosed medical condition was labeled “abuse.” Spike walks through how You Are The Power exposed the truth, mobilized thousands of people, and helped spark reforms in Georgia—including “Ridge’s Law,” which now requires better medical review and protects innocent families from being torn apart to chase federal funding.
If you care about civil liberties, CPS reform, medical freedom, and fighting bureaucracy that destroys lives, this conversation will fire you up—and show you exactly how people like you can help. Spike also shares how to get involved, support future cases, or ask for help if your own family is facing government overreach.
--------
33:35
--------
33:35
Kansas Nurse Amy Siple vs. a Broken System: When Licensing Bureaucracy Hurts Patients
In this powerful episode of American Potential, host David From speaks with Amy Siple, a Kansas nurse practitioner whose career was nearly destroyed—not for harming a patient, not for malpractice, but for a clerical error while her husband battled cancer.
When Amy missed a routine license renewal fee, the Kansas Board of Nursing launched a punitive process that labeled her “unprofessional,” threatened her ability to work, jeopardized her malpractice insurance, and put her on permanent national databases. As Amy began speaking out, she discovered countless other Kansas nurses suffering the same fate for minor errors—while the state faces a severe nursing shortage and spends $44 million on contract labor.
Amy sheds light on a system with little oversight, inconsistent discipline, and a board that has quietly accumulated $4 million in fines from nurses. She also shares how legislators are now fighting to reform the system, protect nurses, and ultimately protect patients who rely on skilled professionals like her.
This is a must-listen episode for anyone concerned about government overreach, healthcare access, professional licensing reform, and supporting the nurses who serve our communities.
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.