A Boise coffee shop founded by a Marine veteran is turning espresso into a mission of healing for those battling PTSD.
What happens when the uniform comes off but the war inside doesn’t end? For many veterans and first responders, the answer is isolation, suppressed trauma, and invisible wounds. PTSD affects an estimated 20% of post-9/11 veterans, but few talk about it, and even fewer find a healthy outlet to heal. That’s exactly why Zero Dark Thirty, a bold new Boise coffee shop, isn’t just brewing lattes—it’s brewing purpose.
In this episode of Behind the Business, we sit down with Jarad Webb, a Marine Corps veteran and former law enforcement officer who hit rock bottom battling undiagnosed PTSD. What started as denial, anger, and disconnection eventually transformed into a powerful mission: create a coffee shop that could serve not only great drinks but also as a sanctuary for those fighting battles no one sees.
So, can a coffee shop actually help save lives?
That’s the question we explore as Kelli Lumsden dives deep into the heart, healing, and hustle behind Zero Dark Thirty.
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Episode Highlights:
- From battlefield to burnout: Jarad’s 20+ years in the Marine Corps and law enforcement—and the silent war with PTSD that followed.
- The stigma of strength: Why so many first responders suppress trauma, and how denial nearly cost Jarad everything.
- Coffee as a catalyst for connection: How Zero Dark Thirty was born out of pain, with a mission to create space for healing, purpose, and brotherhood.
About the Guest:
Jarad Webb is the co-founder of Zero Dark Thirty, a Boise-based coffee company that’s redefining what a coffee shop can be. After serving four years in the U.S. Marine Corps and over a decade in law enforcement, Jarad’s battle with PTSD forced him to leave the only life he knew. Instead of giving up, he and his wife created a purpose-driven business designed to serve more than coffee—it serves community, connection, and healing. Jarad’s journey from service to struggle to startup is a raw, real story of redemption.
Raw, Real, and Transformative
This isn’t your typical business podcast episode.
Kelli Lumsden delivers something extraordinary with Jarad Webb’s story. Webb, a Marine Corps veteran and former law enforcement officer, doesn’t hold back about his battle with undiagnosed PTSD and how it led to creating Zero Dark Thirty Coffee.
What makes this powerful:
Brutal honesty – Webb’s vulnerability about hitting rock bottom is both heartbreaking and inspiring
Mission-driven business – This isn’t just a coffee shop; it’s a sanctuary for veterans and first responders
Perfect interviewing – Lumsden asks tough questions while creating a safe space for difficult truths
The impact: When 20% of post-9/11 veterans struggle with PTSD but few talk about it, places like Zero Dark Thirty become lifelines.
Bottom line: This episode will stick with you. It proves that the most powerful businesses are born from our deepest struggles and that healing happens through authentic connection.
Must-listen for: Veterans, entrepreneurs, mental health advocates, and anyone who believes business can change lives.
Exceptional storytelling that transcends typical business content.
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