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414 episodes

Rep. Jeff Bradley’s Plan to Cut Regulations and Help Small Businesses Thrive
03/10/2026 | 31 mins.
In this episode of American Potential, host David From talks with South Carolina State Representative Jeff Bradley, chairman of the House Regulations and Administrative Procedures Committee, about a major push to rein in the administrative state and make government more accountable to the people.

Bradley explains how South Carolina’s Small Business Regulatory Freedom Act would force a regular review of regulations, create a seven-year sunset for rules that are no longer justified, strengthen protections for citizens challenging agency decisions, and put real checks on unelected bureaucrats. He shares how overregulation hurts small businesses, raises costs, slows growth, and makes it harder for entrepreneurs to succeed.

The conversation also explores how South Carolina is using new tools, including artificial intelligence, to identify duplicative rules and modernize government. Bradley lays out why reducing red tape is not anti-regulation, but pro-accountability, pro-growth, and pro-freedom — and why this fight matters for every South Carolinian.
Kitchen Table Issues in Illinois: Senator Darby Hills on Budgets, Jobs, and Public Safety
03/05/2026 | 24 mins.
Illinois State Senator Darby Hills joins host David From to share her path from prosecutor to community advocate—and now, as one of just 19 Republicans in the Illinois Senate, fighting to bring transparency and accountability back to Springfield.

Darby explains why Illinois doesn’t have a revenue problem—it has a spending problem—and describes what she saw as a new senator: major bills and the state budget dropped with little time to review, late-night votes, and decisions made behind closed doors. She also talks about her work outside government, including founding Barrington Children’s Charities to help feed hundreds of kids each week and provide critical services like dental care, mental health support, and eyeglasses.

From criminal justice to fiscal responsibility, Darby lays out the “kitchen table” priorities that shaped her—watching her single mom work two jobs and sort bills at home—and the reforms she’s pushing now: independent audits, cutting waste, reducing red tape on small businesses, keeping young people in Illinois, and supporting law enforcement to make communities safer.
From Sierra Leone to Philly: Ernestine Johnson on Finding Her Voice and Running for Office
02/26/2026 | 24 mins.
On this episode of American Potential, host David From sits down with Philadelphia native Ernestine Johnson, whose story embodies the spirit of America’s 250th anniversary. A first-generation American with roots in Sierra Leone, Ernestine shares how her family’s experience with civil war and voter suppression shaped her deep appreciation for the right to vote and civic engagement.

What started as working the polls in her community turned into a journey of political activism, running for office, and empowering other women to step up and lead. Ernestine opens up about the challenges of standing firm in her convictions, the personal costs of public engagement, and the importance of finding strength in numbers. She also offers practical advice for anyone hesitant to get involved: how to move from “yelling at the TV” to actually making a difference.

This conversation is a powerful reminder that defending freedom doesn’t require perfection — it requires courage. Sometimes your one small step, whether it’s attending a meeting, supporting a candidate, or running for office, can become the step that inspires an entire community.
From School Board to the RNC: Angelina Banks on Finding Her Voice in Pennsylvania
02/24/2026 | 29 mins.
On this episode of American Potential, host David Fromm sits down with Pennsylvania activist Angelina Banks to talk about taking that “one small step” into civic engagement—and how it changed her life. What started as frustration over local school board decisions turned into a journey through party politics, running for office, serving as a committee person, and even representing her county at the Republican National Convention.

Angelina shares how moving back to Pennsylvania opened her eyes to the impact of public policy, why local government matters more than most people realize, and how just a handful of phone calls or voices can influence elected officials. She talks candidly about the costs of speaking out—strained relationships, social backlash—and why she believes it’s still worth it to defend the principles that built America. It’s a conversation about courage, conviction, and how everyday citizens can move from yelling at the TV to making a real difference.
50 Stars, 50 Stories: Oregon, Massachusetts & Arizona with Ross Connolly and Stephen Shadegg
02/19/2026 | 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.

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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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