Theme: Transformation

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized (subject to certain rules and regulations).

South Jackson Civic Center
404 South Jackson Street
Tullahoma, Tennessee, 37388
United States

Arianna Marin

Artist

Arianna Marin is an award-winning 15-year-old artist who first discovered her love for art in middle school. Since then, she has experimented with various mediums but finds that oil paint is her favorite. The act of painting itself provides Arianna with feelings of control and consistency, both of which she needs as a neurodivergent individual. She enjoys the compliments and conversation that often come along with showcasing her work, but what she loves most is being able to express herself through her paintings and convey more than words can. Arianna is inspired by Hampton Watts and Scott Christian Sava. Her favorite style is surrealism. She loves to paint portraits of people, and her work was recently showcased as a winner in the 15th Annual Middle Tennessee Regional Student Art Exhibition presented by the Tennessee Art Education Association at the Parthenon in Nashville.

Brittany Weddington

Born with less than desirable circumstances, Brittany has learned what it takes to overcome adversity firsthand. From sharing a bedroom to sitting in the boardroom, she is an inspiration of what’s possible when you set your mind to something. Brittany has spent her life dealing with ups and downs, and now makes her living helping others navigate their own trials and tribulations. She is the mother of two beautiful girls, a women’s physique competitor, and a daily reminder that, with God, all things are possible. Brittany was raised by her grandmother after her parents lost custody of her and her sibling. Although her grandmother was an incredible influence on her, she would later discover the traumatic aftermath of her early childhood. She was determined to defy the odds and not become another statistic. Being the first “Overcomer” winner at the 2020 Nashville Fitshow showed her she was meant for more. Here is where she found her purpose.

Colin Shuran

Writer Filmmaker

Colin Shuran is a writer and the award-winning filmmaker of My Friend Karl. His work has garnered a number of awards including the Remi Award from Houston International Film Festival, which has recognized the likes of Steven Spielberg and Spike Lee. Colin is also a percussionist who enjoys reading books, watching movies, and spending time with family and friends. He is an English major at Middle Tennessee State University.

Donald Choate

Emerging Technology Liaison, Adjunct Instructor of Computer Science

Donald Choate is an emerging technology Liaison and adjunct instructor of computer science for Motlow State Community College. He is a fierce advocate for the student and believes nothing comes above them. He graduated from Western Governors University with a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity. His favorite conversations revolve around information warfare, ethical use of technology, and equitable access to resources. He strongly believes a technological future is not possible unless all can be equally represented. He believes technology can be used not only for human advancement, but to help better understand ourselves. Working with partners he manages the MalawiCFS, a website with open resources that encourages a gender and child friendly education experience in Malawi Africa.

Fire Phoenix Belly Dance

Dance Troupe

Fire Phoenix Belly Dance is a Nashville, Tennessee based FatChanceBellyDance®Style (FCBD®Style) performance troupe. The troupe was started by two sisters, McKenna and Morgan, and their mother, Teresa, who shared a love of FCBD®Style and the community it creates. We are dedicated to bringing a high level of FCBD®Style performance and instruction to the middle Tennessee area. We believe that anyone regardless of race, gender identity, age or dance experience can perform and enjoy this style of dance.

Lisa Baker

American Musician, Guitarist, Composer, Teacher

Like many genres of art, music touches a vocabulary of feeling. Raw, harsh, mellow, instructive, music tells a heartfelt story with the artist magically moving people without ever touching them. Lisa does that. a survivor of Parental Alienation, Lisa suffered confused and shamed. Living with all the outcomes of PA creates pain themed stories. Putting that to music is a gift to aid the bruised inner self. An expression felt one soul to another. Lisa Baker does that over and over again creating messages communicated through her art. Song, lyric, tune, tempo and dynamics with dynamic guitar solos, music speaks from deep inside the creator to the audience of one or many. The driver is embraced and present in her work. Baker shows both men and women what it looks and sounds like to hear a woman weld a fiery solo. Solo or group gigs from festivals to conferences to clubs all fit Baker well. By expressing her pain and helping others do the same, Lisa finds answers to live her life fully.

Lyle Russell

Author, Blogger, Wildlife Educator

Lyle Russell is an author, blogger, ISA certified arborist, wildlife educator, and podcast host originally from Tampa, Florida. He is a member of multiple genealogical societies, with ancestral links in the United States back to the Mayflower landing. In April of 2021, Lyle and his wife Valerie founded the Middle Tennessee Raptor Center, a licensed non-profit wildlife rescue that helps injured birds of prey return to the wild. Injured raptors that cannot be returned to the wild become Raptor Education Ambassadors. Lyle and Valerie perform about one hundred education programs per year for schools, festivals, church and civic groups, along with scout camps and summer day camps. Their programs focus on raptor conservation and the importance of these amazing birds in our ecosystem. When he’s not writing, blogging, or creating podcasts, Lyle enjoys traveling to education programs with his birds, woodworking, reading, hiking and falconry. He lives in the heart of Middle Tennessee.

Nidhi Gupta

Pediatric Endocrinologist

Dr. Nidhi Gupta is a pediatric endocrinologist and an award-winning researcher. She has been a featured speaker on several podcasts, including The BMJ, Switch4good, The Daily Huddle and How It’s Done. Nidhi has authored over 100 peer-reviewed articles, book chapters and essays. Nidhi completed her medical school at Maulana Azad Medical College, pediatric residency at Children’s Hospital of Michigan, and pediatric endocrinology fellowship at Mayo Clinic. Upon graduating, she was an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Nidhi launched a movement to raise awareness about smartphone addiction and enlighten her audience to reclaim their time and attention in this technology driven economy. Nidhi is devoted to exposing the dangers of screen addiction. Her work shows that screen time obsession contributes to an array of health challenges such as diabetes, obesity, heart disease, depression, anxiety, addiction, and more.