A TEDx talk by Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences President and CEO Angela L. Walker Franklin, PhD, has surpassed 17,700 views in its first two weeks, placing it among the top-performing TEDx talks globally.
Delivered on the iconic TED red dot at the TEDx University of Northern Iowa event in October 2025, Franklin’s talk, “How to Call Out the Elephant in the Room,” introduces a leadership framework that challenges leaders to confront the issues no one wants to discuss. Through candid storytelling, humor and vulnerability, Franklin grounds her approach in a pivotal personal moment that reshaped her understanding of leadership, accountability and organizational culture. That moment became the emotional anchor of the talk and a point of connection for audiences.
“If people avoid saying what they really think, it can take a toll on relationships — or make it impossible to establish one in the first place,” Franklin says in the presentation. “So how do you talk about something no one wants to talk about?
Since its online release in January 2026, the talk has resonated with audiences. Early performance metrics place the talk in the top 3% of TEDx talks worldwide. Viewers have described the talk as powerful, relatable and moving. Some viewers shared plans to apply the concept directly in their own workplaces.
Franklin is recognized for her leadership in higher education, health sciences and organizational transformation.