In this episode of Rise + Rebel Podcast, Aya Hojadova sits down with Doug Hamilton, founder of CharlestonHacks, for a conversation about AI, hackathons, creative experimentation, community-building, and the future of Charleston’s tech ecosystem.

Doug shares why CharlestonHacks exists, what makes hackathons such powerful spaces for learning and connection, and why Charleston has a unique opportunity to become a place where builders, creatives, entrepreneurs, developers, and curious people can come together to create.

Together, Aya and Doug explore the rise of AI, how it is changing what it means to build, why human fundamentals still matter, and how low-pressure spaces like show-and-tell events can help people externalize ideas, receive honest feedback, and take the first step.

This conversation is for anyone who has an idea, feels intimidated by technology, or wants to understand how community, creativity, and AI can work together to help people build what they are here to create.

Subscribe to Rise + Rebel Podcast for conversations on creativity, entrepreneurship, identity, technology, transformation, visibility, and becoming who you were always meant to be.

Join the Rise + Rebel world:
risewithaya.com/start-here

Learn more about CharlestonHacks:
www.CharlestonHacks.com

Connect with Doug Hamilton:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-hamilton-61517b2b/