The Zero Proof Life

A South-Carolina mom turns a “hot-mess” rock-bottom into a life of faith-fueled freedom—and shows how vulnerability can rewrite an entire family story.

Coach Carolyn Bennett sits down with co-host Karla Adkins to unpack the real work of staying alcohol-free when you’re raising a ten-year-old, writing a tell-all memoir, and learning to feel every emotion you once tried to numb. Karla traces her journey from nightly wine-downs to a shocking cirrhosis diagnosis and, eventually, the release of her breakout book And She Came Tumbling Down —written to hand hope to anyone who thinks “AA is the only way.” The pair dig into alternative recovery paths, faith as a stabilizer, and simple somatic tricks for riding out tough parenting moments without pouring a drink. If you’re craving judgment-free community and proof that small changes add up to a radically present life, hit play.

Timestamps
00:00 – Intro & Carolina coast check-in
03:02 – Parenting on the messy middle days
06:05 – Living alcohol-free: the “feel it to heal it” method
09:03 – Writing a memoir: tears, truth & freedom
12:07 – How sharing your story heals others
15:02 – Hope, faith & science in recovery
24:00 – Building a judgment-free community
32:04 – New hobbies, new horizons
39:56 – Take-home challenge & CTA

Resources & Links

• And She Came Tumbling Down by Karla Adkins → https://www.amazon.com/She-Came-Tumbling-Down-Breaking-ebook/dp/B0B7YHFH84 
  
  
• Join the Zero Proof Life Community → https://www.thezeroprooflife.com/products/zpl-monthly-subscription 
  
  

Follow ZPL  https://www.instagram.com/thezeroprooflife/

Follow the coaches

• Brandi Babb – @littlebigleap (https://www.instagram.com/littlebigleap/)
  
  
• Karla Adkins – @karlakadkins (https://www.instagram.com/karlakadkins/)
  
  
• Carolyn Bennett – @thesoberempath (https://www.instagram.com/carolynbennett2.0/)
  
  
• Becca Snider – @becsnider (https://www.instagram.com/becsnider/)

If today’s conversation sparked your own inner nudge, we’d love to hear from you! Be sure to follow the podcast and leave a review wherever you listen. 

Follow ZPL: 

• https://www.instagram.com/thezeroprooflife/ 
• https://www.thezeroprooflife.com/products/zpl-monthly-subscription

Follow the coaches:

• Brandi Babb – @brandi.babb (https://www.instagram.com/brandi.babb/)  
• Carolyn Bennett – @thesoberempath (https://www.instagram.com/carolynbennett2.0/) 
• Becca Snider – @becsnider (https://www.instagram.com/becsnider/) 

If this conversation resonated with you, please follow the show and leave a review so more people can discover The Zero Proof Life. These conversations are for informational purposes only and not medical or mental health advice.

A single word can build —or break—courage. Karla Adkins explains why she’s ditching the label alcoholic and how reframing addiction language opens new doors to recovery.

Coach Karla Adkins unpacks the loaded term alcoholic—where it came from, why it’s not a medical diagnosis, and how it often keeps people silent when they need help most. She contrasts the stigmatized label with the clinical concept of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and shares simple conversation shifts that spark honest dialogue with doctors, kids, and friends. Expect myth-busting stats, fresh parenting tips, and a call to celebrate every recovery pathway—AA, therapy, medication, or coach-led programs.

Timestamps
00:00 – Intro to zero-proof living
01:23 – Why the word alcoholic feels heavy
05:32 – AUD vs. alcoholism: what the science says
10:47 – How labels shape identity and shame
15:30 – Better questions to ask (and answer) about drinking
20:45 – Teaching the next generation: facts over fear
25:34 – Multiple pathways, one goal: freedom

Resources & links

• NIAAA: “Understanding Alcohol Use Disorder” → niaaa.nih.gov niaaa.nih.gov
  
  
• NIH/NIDA: “Words Matter—Terms to Use & Avoid” → nida.nih.gov nida.nih.gov
  
  
• Join the Zero Proof Life Community → https://www.thezeroprooflife.com/products/zpl-monthly-subscription

Follow ZPL  https://www.instagram.com/thezeroprooflife/

Follow the coaches

• Brandi Babb – @littlebigleap (https://www.instagram.com/littlebigleap/)
  
  
• Karla Adkins – @karlakadkins (https://www.instagram.com/karlakadkins/)
  
  
• Carolyn Bennett – @thesoberempath (https://www.instagram.com/carolynbennett2.0/)
  
  
• Becca Snider – @becsnider (https://www.instagram.com/becsnider/)

If today’s conversation sparked your own inner nudge, we’d love to hear from you! Be sure to follow the podcast and leave a review wherever you listen. 

Follow ZPL: 

• https://www.instagram.com/thezeroprooflife/ 
• https://www.thezeroprooflife.com/products/zpl-monthly-subscription

Follow the coaches:

• Brandi Babb – @brandi.babb (https://www.instagram.com/brandi.babb/)  
• Carolyn Bennett – @thesoberempath (https://www.instagram.com/carolynbennett2.0/) 
• Becca Snider – @becsnider (https://www.instagram.com/becsnider/) 

If this conversation resonated with you, please follow the show and leave a review so more people can discover The Zero Proof Life. These conversations are for informational purposes only and not medical or mental health advice.