American Potential

In this Constitution Day episode of American Potential, host David From sits down with Casey Mattox, Senior Adviser at Americans for Prosperity, to explore the history, principles, and protections behind the U.S. Constitution.

Casey explains how the failures of the Articles of Confederation led the Founders to create a new system of government built around checks and balances, federalism, and limits on government power. He also discusses the inspiration behind the Constitution, why the Bill of Rights was added, and the important principle that our rights do not come from government.

The conversation turns to the challenges facing constitutional rights today, including free speech, religious liberty, privacy, and the tendency to expand government power during times of crisis. Casey also explains why defending the Constitution goes beyond politics—it means strengthening families, churches, communities, and the institutions that allow people to solve problems without always turning to government.

And Casey leaves listeners with a simple Constitution Day challenge: read the Constitution, understand your rights, and find ways to strengthen your own community.

In this episode of American Potential, host David From sits down with U.S. Senator Jim Risch of Idaho to discuss America’s energy future, national security, and the resources needed to keep the country competitive.

Sen. Risch explains why Idaho has become a leader in nuclear energy research and how a new generation of smaller reactors, private investment, and increased competition could transform how electricity is produced and delivered. He also discusses the rapidly growing energy demands created by AI and data centers and why he believes nuclear power will be essential to meeting them.

The conversation also turns to critical minerals, semiconductors, permitting reform, and America’s dependence on foreign supply chains. Sen. Risch explains why producing more of these resources at home is critical to both economic and national security.

He also shares his own One Small Step story, his approach to managing Idaho’s public lands, and why he believes free markets and American innovation can help solve some of the country’s biggest challenges.

Twenty-five years after the September 11 attacks, American Potential host David From sits down with John Byrnes, Strategic Director for Concerned Veterans for America, to remember the day that changed America and reflect on its lasting impact.

John was a college student and National Guard soldier in New York City when the attacks began. He recalls hearing the sirens racing toward Lower Manhattan, watching the first tower collapse, and immediately reporting to his armory. By that evening, John and his fellow soldiers were providing security near Ground Zero, where he would spend nearly two weeks alongside police officers, firefighters, and other first responders during the rescue and recovery efforts.

John also shares how 9/11 changed the direction of his own life, eventually leading to deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan. He and David reflect on the thousands of lives lost, the Americans who answered the call to serve, and the extraordinary unity that swept across the country in the days and weeks following the attacks.

Twenty-five years later, John looks back at the lessons of that day, the decisions America made in its aftermath, and why remembering our history remains essential to the country's future.

In this episode of American Potential, host David From sits down with Rev. Kevass Harding to discuss how his own childhood experiences with housing insecurity inspired him to help families find stable, affordable homes.

Rev. Harding shares his journey from working construction with his grandfather to becoming a police officer, pastor, and eventually founding Hope Community Development Corporation in Wichita, Kansas. Today, the organization builds and renovates affordable homes while providing families with financial education and a path toward homeownership.

He also discusses new reforms in Kansas that removed barriers to accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, creating more opportunities for homeowners and community organizations to provide affordable housing. Rev. Harding shares how these changes are already helping seniors, students, and families—including a formerly homeless family that was finally able to move into a home of their own.

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In this episode of American Potential, host David From sits down with Kelley Williams to share a heartbreaking story about a mother’s fight to give her daughters a better education—and the devastating consequences that followed.

After concerns about bullying and academics in her daughters’ assigned public school, Kelley enrolled them in the district where her parents lived. What followed went far beyond a simple enrollment dispute. The school district hired a private investigator to follow Kelley, and she was eventually prosecuted on felony charges, convicted, and sent to jail.

Kelley also shares the painful story of her father, who supported her efforts to give his granddaughters a better education. He was later prosecuted on separate charges, sent to prison while suffering from serious health problems, and ultimately died while incarcerated. Kelley describes seeing him hospitalized, shackled to his bed, and wondering how their pursuit of a better public education could have resulted in such devastating consequences.

Her case eventually gained national attention and gave Kelley a platform to speak across the country about education and the power government can wield over families.

This episode is a powerful conversation about parental choice, government overreach, and why families should have greater freedom to pursue the education they believe is best for their children.