Episode description
Laura Silverman is an alcohol-free trailblazer. She’s been sober since 2007 and is the founder of Zero Proof Nation and Booze Free in DC, two platforms focused on highlighting non-alcoholic beverages and the culture driving their growth. She serves in advisory roles to for and non-profits in the wider industry, bringing her expertise and lived experience to the table.
Laura has given university lectures on non-alcoholic beverages and inclusivity in hospitality, two areas of deep passion and advocacy. She is a two-time judge at the World Alcohol Free Awards in London, tasting over 200 unique non-alcoholic beverages in two days.
In 2023, Laura received a “Leader and Innovator of the Year” award from Sans Bar Academy, a non-alc small business incubator. When not on the karaoke stage, she is frequently sought after as an industry subject matter expert by publications such as Wine Enthusiast, NPR, Forbes, America’s Test Kitchen, and the BBC.
Laura is co-host of NA Dossier, a video podcast exploring the intersection between branding, design, taste, and community for non-alc beverages. She and her co-host, brand designer Haylee Jordan, have interviewed the founders of growing brands (e.g. Starla Wines) and multi-million dollar brands (e.g. Athletic Brewing) alike.
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Founded in 2016, the mission of Ben's Friends is to offer hope, fellowship, and a path forward to anyone who struggles with substance abuse or addiction. By coming together, starting a dialogue, and acknowledging that substance abuse cannot be overcome by isolation and willpower alone, Ben's Friends hopes to write a new chapter in the lives of food and beverage professionals across the country.