We recently connected with Ed Delesky and Nicole Aruffo and have shared our conversation below.

Ed and Nicole, appreciate you joining us today. If you had a defining moment that you feel really changed the trajectory of your career, we’d love to hear the story and details.

Doctor comes from the Latin word docere, which means “to teach.” But as a primary care doctor, I often find that teaching feels like a luxury I can barely afford. One patient stands out in my mind—eager to understand every aspect of his health. He battles hypertension, diabetes, depression, and obesity. His questions come rapid-fire, his desire to learn evident in his every word. I can see how much he wants to take control of his health, but time is slipping through my fingers. There’s so much I want to explain, so many stories and lessons that could make a difference in his life. But the clock doesn’t stop, and before I know it, I’m rushing off to the next patient. I realize that he isn’t just one person. He represents millions of people with similar struggles—desperate for answers, trying to navigate the complexities of their health with only brief moments of guidance from professionals they trust.

After a particularly long day, I came home, still thinking about all the things I didn’t get a chance to say. I shared my frustrations with my fiancé, a talented, thoughtful pediatric nurse. We talked for hours about how limited time with patients leaves so many questions unanswered. Then we had a thought—what if we could remove time from the equation? What if we could share our knowledge beyond the clinic walls, reaching people who need it, but at their own pace? That’s when the idea for “Your Checkup” was born. Together, we created a podcast designed to educate patients, breaking down complicated medical topics into relatable, easy-to-understand conversations. It became our way of expanding our impact, teaching the lessons that truly matter, and bringing medicine, and learning closer to the people who need it most.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Meet the team behind “Your Checkup,” a small but passionate health education podcast where a doctor-nurse couple, Dr. Edward M. Delesky, MD, a family medicine resident in the Philadelphia area, and Nicole Aruffo, RN, a talented pediatric nurse, bring their unique perspectives straight from the doctor’s to your ears. Alongside them is their energetic Corgi intern, Ollie, adding a touch of fun to the team. Together, they’re committed to making medicine more accessible and relatable for everyone.

At “Your Checkup,” we believe every episode has something valuable to offer—whether it’s for you, a loved one, or a neighbor. We’re here to simplify the medical jargon and provide practical, everyday health education to help improve health literacy. Join us as we work toward building a healthier, more informed community, one episode at a time!

The way we see it, the traditional model of patient education hinges on the idea that the doctor’s office is the primary and, often, the only setting for conversations about health. However, this limited window restricts patients’ opportunity to fully grasp complex medical information. As clinicians, we know that questions arise once patients leave the clinic—once they’ve had time to reflect on their diagnosis, management plan, or lifestyle changes. Relying solely on brief in-office interactions is insufficient.

This is why “Your Checkup” is so powerful. It expands health education beyond the four walls of the clinic and into patients’ everyday lives. The podcast takes critical health topics and moves them into a more approachable, conversational format. It extends the dialogue, ensuring that health conversations are not just a once-a-year encounter, but an ongoing, evolving exchange. By offering evidence-based information in a format that is free, easy to access, and available on multiple platforms, the podcast becomes a tool for lifelong learning, helping patients feel more informed and empowered.

We are most proud and honored when people come back and tell us they have shared our podcast with their loved ones.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

Aside from training and education, humility is one of the most crucial factors for success in our field. Knowing your limits and respecting the vastness of medical knowledge is key to being an effective doctor, or nurse. Medicine is constantly evolving, and no one can know everything. It’s important to acknowledge when you don’t have all the answers and be open to seeking help or learning more. This attitude not only fosters growth but also builds trust with patients and colleagues, who appreciate a doctor or nurse willing to admit when they need to collaborate or learn more.

Humility also drives you to become the best version of yourself. It keeps you grounded, ensuring that your focus remains on improving your skills for the benefit of your patients, not for personal glory. By staying humble, you remain open to feedback, new ideas, and continuous improvement. In a field where lives are at stake, the ability to self-reflect and grow without ego is invaluable. We feel this approach helps create a stronger, more competent, and compassionate clinicians who always puts patient care first.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

Our reputation has grown largely because of our goal—improving the health of society, one neighbor at a time. We focus on bringing practical, relatable conversations to our listeners, driven by a deep passion for making a real difference in people’s lives. We’re not trying to sell products or push agendas; our mission is to empower individuals with knowledge that benefits them and their communities. This authenticity resonates with our audience, building trust and showing that we’re here to help, not for ourselves, but for the well-being of others

Contact Info:

• Website: https://yourcheckuppodcast.buzzsprout.com/2346940
• Instagram: @YourCheckupPodcast
• Facebook: Your Checkup
• Youtube: @YourCheckup
• Other: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-checkup/id1739497149
  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7yIRIu5czkQrXi0UwQsiHk

Image Credits
Photodelphia by Harley Maile (photos) Olivia Pawlowski for Podcast Artwork