TEDxCool Springs Youth

Speakers

Speakers may not be confirmed. Check the event website for the latest lineup.

• Abigail Goddard

  Abigail “Abbie” Goddard is a 17-year-old entrepreneur, storyteller, and changemaker on a mission to make the world safer—one drink at a time. She’s the founder of Spikey, a discreet keychain capable of detecting common date-rape drugs in seconds. The idea was born from a deeply personal experience when her family member was drugged in college. Since launching Spikey less than a year ago, Abbie has turned a 3D-printed prototype into a product now helping students, bartenders, and safety advocates nationwide. She’s won over $50,000 in funding through national and international pitch competitions, generated more than $50,000 in sales, and partnered with universities, nonprofits, and law enforcement. She has been interviewed on multiple news outlets, and her TikToks have reached hundreds of thousands of viewers. In high school, Abbie also started Film For a Cause, a nonprofit that produces promotional videos for other nonprofits. She’s an accomplished public speaker and classical pianist. She is fascinated by the intersection of marketing, consumer psychology, and film, and dreams of using her ideas to build brands that create real social change. Abbie believes you don’t have to wait until you’re “old enough” or “experienced enough” to make a difference and that if you see something that needs fixing, you roll up your sleeves and do it.

• Darnel Lewis

  Super fire

• Gracyn Banks

  Gracyn Banks is a rising freshman at Franklin High School in Franklin, Tennessee. She recently completed middle school at Hillsboro, where she cheered and enjoyed being part of the school community. Gracyn is aventurous, creative, and kind, with a love for travel, theater, friendships, and learning about people from different cultures. She has traveled to five countries, including France and Italy, and those experiences have helped shape the way she sees the world. She also enjoys performing and has held roles in productions of Tuck Everlasting, Frozen, and Charlie Brown. Whether on stage, traveling with her family, or spending time with friends, Gracyn is curious about people and passionate about growing into someone who makes a positive impact.

• John Mudgett

  John is a business owner, investor, and advisor who is passionate about faith, family, and helping others live with purpose and intention. Together, John and Saige encourage families to think critically about technology and to raise children who are equipped to lead rather than simply follow. John and Saige are the father-daughter team behind Teen Tech Experiment, a movement helping families navigate technology, parenting, and childhood in the digital age. Together, they challenge the assumption that constant connectivity is necessary for children to thrive. Their work explores how families can embrace the benefits of technology while preserving curiosity, creativity, meaningful relationships, and real-world experiences. What began as a father-daughter experiment has grown into a global community of more than 80,000 (this is close to our current count) families seeking a more intentional approach to technology and childhood.

• Rick Barker

  Rick Barker is a speaker, author, coach, and entrepreneur who believes the things that make us different are often the things that make us most useful. He has spent decades helping young artists, students, and creators build confidence, find their voice, and stop trying to blend in just to be accepted. Rick is the author of Music Business for Parents and AI for Humans, and is known for his humor, honesty, and “WEIRD WINS” philosophy. As an early manager for Taylor Swift, Rick saw firsthand that the people who shape culture rarely do it by being like everyone else. He loves big questions, real stories, good coffee, golf, self-deprecating humor, and helping young people see that different is not a weakness, it may be the beginning of their leadership.

• Roderick Johnson

  Roderick M. Johnson Jr. is a Nashville native and young leader working at the intersection of faith, organizational development, and civic engagement. A business student at Belmont University, he is passionate about building people-centered systems that help organizations and individuals grow in purpose. Roderick believes lasting transformation takes place when holistic development leads the way, helping communities flourish through intentional strategy.

• Saige Mudgett

  Saige is a homeschooled high school student, violist with the Tennessee Youth Symphony, foster care advocate, older sister and young entrepreneur. Having grown up without a personal smartphone, she offers a unique perspective on what it means to come of age in an increasingly digital world. John and Saige are the father-daughter team behind Teen Tech Experiment, a movement helping families navigate technology, parenting, and childhood in the digital age. Together, they challenge the assumption that constant connectivity is necessary for children to thrive. Their work explores how families can embrace the benefits of technology while preserving curiosity, creativity, meaningful relationships, and real-world experiences. What began as a father-daughter experiment has grown into a global community of more than 80,000 (this is close to our current count) families seeking a more intentional approach to technology and childhood.

• Sarah Gerald

  North Carolina native turned Nashville resident, Sarah Gerald embodies the perfect blend of Southern roots and modern country. Hailing from a small town where country music was woven into everyday life, she has crafted a sound that honors tradition while embracing today’s country landscape. In 2026, Sarah reached several career milestones, making her debut at Nashville’s legendary Bluebird Cafe and performing at the city’s iconic Whiskey Jam. Her single “Sweet Tea” was also featured on YouTube’s Country Rising playlist, introducing her music to an even wider audience. With heartfelt storytelling, infectious melodies, and an authentic Southern spirit, Sarah creates music that lingers long after the last note. As she continues to make her mark on the country music scene, her latest single, “Party Anywhere,” is available now on all streaming platforms.

• Zia Victoria

  Zia Victoria is a 21 year old singer songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer, creative director, and speaker based in Nashville, Tennessee. After signing her first publishing deal at just 16 years old, she has performed on national television, toured internationally, opened for artists like Seal, and spoken to audiences around the world, from concert venues to classrooms, including Gashora Girls Academy in Rwanda. In addition to her work in music, Zia serves on the Junior Board of The Person First Foundation, where she is passionate about mental health and empowering young people to recognize their value, and potential. Zia is currently working on her debut album while continuing to use music and creativity to bring people together and encourage the next generation to make a positive impact.