What happens when one frustrated commuter decides to stop complaining and start building?

In this episode of the Design Shift podcast, Justin Lokitz sits down with Carley Hart, startup operator, educator, and builder currently leading partnerships for Runway Startups at Cornell Tech. With a background spanning Techstars, Autodesk, corporate innovation, and product strategy, Carley has spent years helping startups and organizations navigate uncertainty and move ideas into action.  

But recently, after dealing with repeated “ghost buses” on her New York commute, Carley used AI tools like Claude and Wispr Flow to rapidly launch Fix Hudson Link—a public platform that tracks missing buses, organizes commuter reports, and creates accountability through real-time data. What started as a side project built at a bus stop quickly gained media attention and led to conversations with transportation officials and state representatives.

This conversation explores what happens when AI dramatically lowers the barriers to execution, why side projects and experimentation matter more than ever, and how designers, strategists, and creative thinkers can use their skills to create meaningful impact beyond traditional jobs or startups.

In this episode, we cover:

• How Carley went from commuter frustration to civic innovation

• Why AI is changing who gets to build and what “building” means

• The role of side projects in developing agency and momentum

• How data creates leverage in public systems

• Why judgment and initiative matter more than technical perfection

• What designers and operators should be building right now

If you’re interested in design strategy, civic innovation, AI tools, startups, systems thinking, or the future of creative work, this episode offers a grounded look at how individuals can create real-world impact faster than ever before.

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