American Potential

In this episode of American Potential, host David From sits down with Rimantas Jurcucius, who grew up in Lithuania under Soviet control and now lives in Wisconsin, to share his firsthand experience of life under communism.

Rimantas describes growing up in a system where private property was taken away, basic goods were often difficult to find, government-run stores had empty shelves, and Communist Party connections could determine everything from career opportunities to access to better products and healthcare. He also shares his family’s painful history, including his mother being forcibly sent to Siberia as a child under Stalin.

A talented track athlete, Rimantas became a Soviet Union champion and served in the Soviet military before eventually coming to the United States in 1992 with just $130 in his pocket. He shares how an American company gave him an opportunity despite not speaking English—and how, 32 years later, he retired after eventually running that same company.

Today, Rimantas is sharing his story with Americans to explain the realities of the system he experienced and why he believes freedom and opportunity are at the heart of the American Dream.

In this episode of American Potential, host David From sits down with attorney Aaron Rice of American Dream Legal to discuss a major legal fight over healthcare competition and patient choice in Mississippi.

Aaron shares the story of Butch, an experienced physical therapist who wanted to open a home health agency after seeing the growing need for in-home care during COVID. But he discovered that Mississippi had maintained a moratorium for 45 years that prevented anyone from opening a new home health agency.

Aaron explains how certificate of need laws allow existing healthcare providers to weigh in on whether new competitors should be allowed into the market and how those restrictions can limit choices for patients. Despite Mississippi’s home health patient population growing dramatically, the number of agencies available to serve them actually declined.

Butch fought back in court and won a major victory when a federal judge struck down the 45-year moratorium. Now, Aaron and his team are taking the fight further, challenging Mississippi’s broader certificate of need law and arguing that healthcare entrepreneurs should not need permission from their competitors to serve patients.

In this episode of American Potential, host David From sits down with Iowa State Representative and artist Ray “Bubba” Sorensen to share the story behind the Freedom Rock and how one painting grew into a mission to honor veterans across America.

Inspired by Saving Private Ryan, Bubba painted his first patriotic mural on a graffiti-covered rock in Iowa in 1999. What started as a simple way to thank veterans became an annual tradition and eventually expanded to Freedom Rocks in all 99 Iowa counties. He is now working toward bringing one to every state in the country.

Bubba shares some of the powerful stories he has encountered along the way, including veterans and Gold Star families who found comfort in his artwork. He also explains how the Freedom Rock became a living memorial, with the ashes of more than 180 Vietnam veterans and other service members incorporated into the paintings.

The conversation also explores Bubba’s own One Small Step—from picking up a paintbrush to eventually running for the Iowa legislature—and how he uses both art and public service to preserve the stories of those who sacrificed for America.

In this episode of American Potential, host David From sits down with legendary wrestler and coach Dan Gable at AFP’s America 250 celebration in Iowa to talk about the mindset, discipline, and lessons behind a lifetime of extraordinary success.

Gable reflects on his journey from growing up in Iowa to becoming an Olympic gold medalist, including his remarkable 1972 Olympic run where he did not surrender a single point. He shares how one of the most painful losses of his college career ultimately made him a better wrestler and helped shape the coaching philosophy that would lead the University of Iowa to wrestling dominance.

The conversation explores the dangers of becoming comfortable with success, why winning requires constant discipline, and how setbacks can expose the areas where you need to improve. Gable also shares stories from competing against the Soviet Union during the Cold War, his decision to remain in Iowa despite lucrative opportunities elsewhere, and what receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom meant to him.

Through wrestling, coaching, marriage, family, and more than five decades of competition and leadership, Gable shares lessons about perseverance, accountability, and the importance of having people in your life who push you toward excellence.

In this episode of American Potential, host David From sits down with CNN commentator and bestselling author Scott Jennings at AFP’s America 250 celebration in Iowa to talk about politics, media, freedom, and the principles that have shaped America for 250 years.

Scott takes listeners behind the scenes of his debates on CNN, explaining why listening is one of the most important skills in winning an argument and what he has learned debating some of the most prominent voices on the left. He also discusses the rise of socialism, why he believes its growing appeal among younger Americans should be taken seriously, and how supporters of free markets can make a stronger case for opportunity and individual freedom. transcript (33)

Drawing from his book A Revolution of Common Sense, Scott connects today’s political debates to lessons from America’s founding, including the dangers of a government that becomes too large and too distant from the people it serves. He and David also discuss small businesses, the skilled trades, and why creating opportunity means trusting people to build, work, innovate, and pursue their own version of the American Dream.

And for anyone expecting a political debate around the Thanksgiving table, Scott shares a few tips from his experience debating politics on national television.