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

Date: December 31, 2025
Host: Karol Markowicz
Guest: Ari Ackerman, entrepreneur, philanthropist, Miami Marlins owner, and Jewish activist

Episode Overview

In this engaging interview, Karol Markowicz talks with Ari Ackerman about his entrepreneurial journey from founding Bunk One, a breakthrough camp-communication app, to becoming an owner of the Miami Marlins. They dig deep into what drives Ari's outspoken Jewish activism, especially since October 7th, and discuss Jewish identity, Israel advocacy, legacy, family, and the value of standing up for your beliefs. With characteristic humor and warmth, they share both their worries and their hopes for the Jewish future.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Bunk One – The Entrepreneurial Origin Story

• Ari's inspiration: Created Bunk One while at Northwestern business school after writing a business plan that venture capitalists initially dismissed.

  “They told me it was the worst idea they ever heard in their entire life. … So I got really drunk that day and I went to the Cubs game and sat in the bleachers at Wrigley Field. … A week later … I was in my car driving around the country visiting camps and just pitching the idea.” (03:38-04:02)

• Rapid growth: Within two years, Bunk One was on CNN as demand skyrocketed among camp parents needing a connection to their kids through photos and “bunk notes.”
• No kids at the time: Ari's motivation stemmed from Jewish family values, not parenthood.

  “I was raised by Jewish mom, right? This is the most obvious idea of all time for Jewish kid like that.” (05:29)

2. From Startup to Baseball – Joining the Miami Marlins

• Opportunity knocks: Ari sold Bunk One in 2017, then was approached by a business school friend about buying into the Marlins.
• Yankee roots with Miami twist: The deal was led by Derek Jeter, with Don Mattingly as Marlins manager—“a lot of Yankee connections.”

  “I couldn’t afford the Yankees, I’ll tell you that. ...It was just an incredible opportunity. Major financial investment. But... I also believed in the numbers, that I thought it had promise as a business.” (07:14-08:07)

3. Social Media Advocacy & Jewish Activism

• Longtime activism: Ari was active on Jewish issues well before October 7th, speaking up against antisemitism even on college campuses.

  “I was speaking before October 7th … in front of the Chancellor of CUNY, who let a graduation speaker go, being very anti-Semitic. … This is Jewish hatred.” (08:34-08:54)

• Pivot to Instagram: After learning about “reels,” Ari embraced video to reach wider audiences.

  “You reach 500 people in the first second, you know, a thousand, two thousand, ten thousand people in the first few minutes… Last month I had 5 million views. … I’m doing at least my part because ... we’re in the fight for the survival of our people right now. I don’t say that lightly.” (09:22-10:11)

• Motivation: Driven by family legacy and concern for his children facing a world of rising antisemitism.

4. Instilling Jewish Pride in the Next Generation

• Legacy and daily practice: Ari and his wife consciously impart Jewish values and pride to their young children, celebrating Shabbat and being role models of Jewish activism.

  “I am leaving them with a legacy of Instagram reels… showing them like during this period of very dangerous Jewish hate and antisemitism, their dad stood up loud and proud.” (13:36-13:39) “My daughter is 5 years old, and I’ve already whispered in her ear, if she marries a non-Jew, I’m not coming for her wedding. It’s things like that…” (14:24)

• Advice for parents: Every parent can make a difference, no matter the size of their platform. Take kids to Israel, practice Jewish traditions, and be vocal.

5. Israel's PR Challenges and the Fight for Truth

• PR gap: Ari describes being invited by the Israeli government, alongside other influencers, to help with outreach amid global bias.

  “There is a problem. Even the Israeli government identifies the problem… their reaction time is very slow… with the news cycle, is what it is right now, it’s instantaneous. You almost have to adapt to the times…” (15:50-17:09)

• Wish: More proactive, professional Jewish PR to counteract misinformation and propaganda.

6. Jewish Concerns, American Dynamics, and Supportive Allies

• Main worry: The future safety and continuity of Jewish life, as well as rising normalization of antisemitism.

  “What I worry about is … our future. Existential.” (18:22)

• Support in “flyover country”: Markowicz and Ackerman both note the strong support for Israel among evangelicals and in rural America.

  “Thank God for the evangelicals… they’re more pro-Israel than a lot of Jews.” (19:32-19:44)

7. Wisdom for the Next Generation

• Advice to his 16-year-old self:

  “Enjoy being 16 my guy. ...But think about your time being the most valuable commodity... make sure you’re constantly trying things, legal things...” (22:22) “You be you, you’re gonna throughout your life… They told me [Bunk One] was the worst idea they ever heard. ...I’d be me… I’m gonna still post my Instagram reels to make sure that people see my truth and the truth.” (22:52)

• Key lessons: Try new things, be true to yourself, handle adversity with resilience, and value both fun and purpose.

8. Final Takeaways: Living with Passion and Purpose

• Ari’s tip for listeners:

  “Have passion in whatever you do… Wake up with goals for the day, for the week, for the month… do the hard stuff… challenge yourself. Do the hard things. … Appreciate delayed gratification.” (23:41-25:01)

• On fighting for the hard things:

  “Like fighting for the Jewish people. Which I hope I do in a good way right now.” (25:01)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Bunk One’s invention:
  “They told me it was the worst idea they ever heard in their entire life. True story. And I’d be doing a disservice to myself and my school if I started Bunk One.” —Ari Ackerman (03:38)

• On family influence:
  “My mom … 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 (10:34)

• On leaving a legacy:
  “I’m leaving that legacy for [my children] and showing them like during this period of very dangerous Jewish hate and antisemitism, their dad stood up loud and proud.” —Ari Ackerman (13:36)

• On parental responsibility:
  “What you’re saying right now is the most important thing I think a Jewish parent can do… instilling them that sense of Jewish pride.” —Ari Ackerman (14:47)

• On American support:
  “Thank God for, like, the evangelicals… they’re more pro Israel than a lot of Jews.” —Ari Ackerman (19:39)

• On advice to his younger self:
  “You be you… if something doesn’t go your way, that’s life. … Go to the parties and be true to yourself.” —Ari Ackerman (22:22, 23:06)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 03:14 – Ari’s Bunk One origin story
• 06:28 – Transition to Miami Marlins ownership
• 08:07 – Social media activism and Jewish advocacy
• 12:13 – Teaching pride and Jewish identity to children
• 15:50 – Israel’s PR challenges
• 17:26 – Fears about rising antisemitism
• 18:50 – Observing pro-Israel support in America’s heartland
• 22:22 – Advice to his 16-year-old self
• 23:41 – Ari’s tip for fulfilling and meaningful living

Conclusion

Ari Ackerman’s story is one of resilience, vision, and deep-rooted commitment—to entrepreneurship, to family legacy, and to Jewish pride and advocacy. He urges listeners to be passionate, set goals, do hard things, and leave a legacy worth inheriting. In a turbulent era for Jews and Israel, his message is one of hope, courage, and taking a stand both on and offline.

Check out Ari Ackerman’s Instagram for more of his advocacy and insights.