Podcast Summary: The Karol Markowicz Show – From Startup to the Major Leagues: Ari Ackerman on Tech, Faith, and Jewish Pride

Podcast: The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show – The Karol Markowicz Show
Episode Title: From Startup to the Major Leagues: Ari Ackerman on Tech, Faith, and Jewish Pride
Host: Karol Markowicz
Guest: Ari Ackerman (Entrepreneur, Owner – Miami Marlins, Philanthropist, Social Media Activist)
Date: August 20, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode features Karol Markowicz in conversation with Ari Ackerman. The central themes include entrepreneurial grit, Jewish identity and activism, the power of social media, and the challenges of Jewish continuity in the modern world. Ari shares his journey from building Bunk One – an app revolutionizing summer camp communications – to becoming an owner of the Miami Marlins. He also discusses his outspoken activism around Jewish pride and support for Israel, especially in the wake of increasing antisemitism, and reflects on instilling Jewish values in the next generation.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Bunk One Startup Story

[03:41 – 06:54]

• Ari Ackerman founded Bunk One after writing a business plan in business school.
  • The concept was initially rejected by venture capitalists:

    “They told me it was the worst idea they'd ever heard in their entire life. True story... I got really drunk that day and I went to the Cubs game and sat in the bleachers in Wrigley Field. If you've ever done that, it's a great experience. And realized that this was something I wanted to do.” (Ari Ackerman, 04:16)

• Drove around the country pitching the platform to camps, creating key relationships.
• App provided a way for parents to view photos and stay connected with kids at camp, revolutionizing the industry:

  • “We introduced this idea of staying connected in a one way window to your child when they're away at camp for the first time and then sending those bunk notes... it became a great company that I ran for about 18 years.” (Ari Ackerman, 05:11)

2. From Tech Entrepreneur to Major League Baseball Owner

[06:54 – 08:33]

• After selling Bunk One, Ari was approached to be part of a group purchasing the Miami Marlins, led by Derek Jeter.
  • Yanked from being a Yankees fan to Marlins owner.

  • “The attraction of baseball and even the city of Miami, which I love so much, made it even more attractive to be part of this group, to buy the Marlins.” (Ari Ackerman, 08:16)

• Owning a team was an unexpected, transformative opportunity.

3. Jewish Pride and Social Media Activism

[08:33 – 14:50]

• Ari’s activism didn’t start with October 7th; he's been vocal long before, protesting antisemitism and speaking at public events.

  • “I've always been a very loud and proud Jew. I was speaking before October 7th in front of the Chancellor of CUNY... we were out there yelling... that this was outrageous and unacceptable and this is Jewish hatred.” (Ari Ackerman, 09:00)

• Shift in strategy post-October 7th: Leveraged Instagram "reels" to reach a far broader audience.

  • “You reach 500 people in the first second, you know, a thousand, two thousand, ten thousand people in the first few minutes... In the last month I had 5 million views.” (Ari Ackerman, 09:48 & 10:12)

  • “We’re in the fight for the survival of our people right now. I don’t even say that lightly... and it gets worse every day, all over — not even just in this country, but really all around the world.” (Ari Ackerman, 10:13)

• Driven by a legacy of Zionism and Jewish values handed down from his mother and grandfather:

  • “My grandfather... literally the founder of the state of Israel and really my mentor... showed us how to give and give again and give even more and always be a proud Zionist and a proud Jew.” (Ari Ackerman, 11:18)

4. Passing Down Jewish Identity and Facing the Next Generation

[12:38 – 15:48]

• Ari and Karol share concerns about younger Jewish generations feeling disconnected from Judaism or Israel.

  • “Every day I fight because like you and your children, I want to make sure my children feel that strong sense of pride... my wife is right on board... I’m leaving them with a legacy of Instagram reels.” (Ari Ackerman, 13:14–14:02)

• Small acts, like family Shabbat dinner and open conversations about Jewish continuity:

  • “We do Shabbat dinners at night, and... constantly instilling in them Jewish values and the importance of being Jewish.” (Ari Ackerman, 14:13)

• Lighthearted anecdote: “My daughter is 5 years old, and I’ve already whispered in her ear, if she marries a non Jew, I’m not coming.” (Ari Ackerman, 14:38)

5. Israel’s PR Struggles & Jewish Advocacy in the US

[15:48 – 18:48]

• Ari identifies a gap in Israel's PR strategy, confirmed by being invited by the Israeli government (along with other influencers) to support messaging.

  • “There is a problem. Even the Israeli government identifies the problem... I still think they can do a better job of it... the reaction time is very, very slow in terms of Israel responding to whatever takes place in terms of the news.” (Ari Ackerman, 16:16–17:09)

• Suggests that top Jewish-run PR firms in the US could be harnessed for a more professional, agile response to anti-Israel bias.

  • “We just don’t hire one or two of them full-time and just have them do Jewish PR like 24/7.” (Ari Ackerman, 17:35)

• Fear and anxiety about rising antisemitism in the US and abroad:

  • “The way I see hate on the streets, the way I see Jewish hate being normalized right now... is that the way the world is heading right now? It's very scary. A lot of it reminds me of what I read... from 19, late 20s or even 30s, 19, Germany.” (Ari Ackerman, 17:53–18:48)

6. Support from Broader America and Intra-Community Dynamics

[19:16 – 21:18]

• Karol notes that outside major city enclaves, there’s surprisingly robust pro-Israel and pro-Jewish support, especially among evangelical Christians:

  • “You drive by churches and they say, pray for Israel... there is more than just... leftist media and enclaves in this country who do support not only Israel, but Jews across the world.” (Carol Markowitz, 19:16)

• Ari shares gratitude for this alliance:

  • “Thank God for, like, the evangelicals... they're more pro Israel than a lot of Jews.” (Ari Ackerman, 19:58–20:10)

• Notable moment: Ari recently met Patricia Heaton, a vocal non-Jewish supporter of Israel:

  • “She doesn’t have to do this... She is all in. She believes it in her heart and soul.” (Ari Ackerman, 20:22)

7. Advice to Younger Self & Managing Modern Challenges

[21:30 – 23:42]

• Advice for his 16-year-old self:
  • Enjoy being young, try everything (legally!), value time as the greatest commodity.

  • “Make sure you’re constantly trying things, legal things, doing things that are appropriate... you’re staying true to yourself about who you are, about your family, about what’s important to you.” (Ari Ackerman, 21:48–22:17)

• Be true to yourself despite peer pressure and criticism — a mindset that served him as both an entrepreneur and activist.

8. Final Life Tips & Motivation

[24:07 – 25:56]

• Keys to a fulfilling life:
  • “Have passion in whatever you do... Wake up with goals for the day, goals for the week, goals for the month, and really try and hit those goals... Also... do the hard stuff. Don’t just do the easy stuff.” (Ari Ackerman, 24:07–24:59)
• The value of delayed gratification and taking on challenges that matter:

  • “If you do the hard stuff, appreciate the delayed gratification... do things that are more long term right now, like fighting for the Jewish people, which I hope I do in a good way right now.” (Ari Ackerman, 25:27)

Notable Quotes

On Entrepreneurship and Resilience

• “I'd be doing a disservice to myself and my school if I started Bunk One.” (Ari Ackerman quoting the VCs, 04:11)
• “A year and a half later I was live on CNN.” (Ari Ackerman, 05:10)

On Jewish Pride and Activism

• “I have in my heart and soul a very strong connection to Zionism and to my Jewishness. I was raised by my mom... who just instilled in me and my sister this incredible Jewish values of standing up for our community and always being a strong Jew.” (Ari Ackerman, 11:00)

On the State of the World

• “We’re in the fight for the survival of our people right now. I don’t even say that lightly.” (Ari Ackerman, 10:13)

On Parental Legacy

• “During this period of very dangerous Jewish hate and anti Semitism, their dad stood up loud and proud... I want to make sure they see that.” (Ari Ackerman, 14:13)

On Doing the Hard Thing

• “Do the hard stuff. Don't just do the easy stuff. You will feel better about yourself if you are out there challenging yourself and you're out there doing things that make you even a little bit uncomfortable.” (Ari Ackerman, 24:59)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 03:41 | Bunk One origin story
• 06:54 | Transition to Miami Marlins ownership
• 08:33 | Jewish activism — pre- and post-October 7th
• 12:38 | Teaching Jewish identity to children
• 15:48 | Israel’s PR challenges & advocacy gaps
• 19:16 | Grassroots pro-Israel support in the US
• 21:30 | Advice for young people/self at 16
• 24:07 | Tips for a better, more purposeful life

Memorable Moments

• Ari's lighthearted yet pointed anecdote about telling his young daughter not to marry a non-Jew:

  “I've already whispered in her ear, if she marries a non Jew, I'm not coming.” (14:38)

• Commentary on how surprising and critical broad Christian evangelical support for Israel is, compared to internal Jewish division.
• Both Ari and Karol reflect on the enduring impact of openly expressing Jewish pride — both for their children and for the broader community.

Takeaways

This episode is an inspiring look at how one person can have an outsized impact by blending entrepreneurial drive, cultural pride, and fearlessness in the face of criticism. Ari Ackerman’s example underscores the importance of standing up for one’s identity, taking initiative, and doing the “hard thing” even when it isn’t popular or safe. Both practical (goal setting, finding purpose) and deeply personal (family, faith, legacy), the conversation offers a blueprint for resilience and pride in challenging times.