Middle of the Fence

What happens when you stop being afraid of change and start seeing transformation as a necessary part of life? In Episode 65 of Middle of the Fence , Andre Spruell sits down with German Palacio , a Buenos Aires-born creative who immigrated to New York as a teenager and has spent his life continually reinventing himself—personally, professionally, and creatively.  German shares how his journey has...

What if the life you're working so hard to build isn't actually being driven by where you want to go but by what you're trying to get away from? In Episode 64 of Middle of the Fence , Andre explores the thin line between ambition and survival mode . Survival mode doesn't always look like barely getting by. Sometimes it looks incredibly productive: working constantly, chasing fi...

☢️  LANGUAGE NOTE: This special episode is recorded entirely in Spanish. For the first time on Middle of the Fence , I’m bringing you an episode completely in Spanish. As the son of an immigrant, the conversation surrounding immigration and enforcement in the United States is deeply personal to me. My mother’s family came to this country from Argentina in search of a better life, and their story i...

You see someone's behavior...but do you know what they're carrying behind it? Someone may seem distant, impatient, rude, or completely fine on the outside while privately dealing with grief, financial pressure, family struggles, health challenges, or a difficult season they haven't told anyone about. In Episode 62 of Middle of the Fence, Andre Spruell explores why we're so quic...

Are the people closest to you helping you grow or keeping you stuck? As we get older, our relationships change. Sometimes we grow together, sometimes we grow in different directions, and sometimes we have to reconsider who deserves our time, energy, and access. But does personal growth really mean cutting off everyone who isn’t “leveling up” with us? In this episode of Middle of the Fence, Andre e...

Is music actually getting worse or are we just getting older? We've all heard someone say, “They just don't make music like they used to.” But what if there's more behind that feeling than we realize? In Episode 60 of Middle of the Fence , Andre explores how streaming, shorter songs, viral hits and the changing business of music may be influencing creativity and artistry. But there&...

What does it actually mean to love someone when doing what feels right might also mean disappointing them, creating distance, or even letting them go? In this episode of Middle of the Fence, Andre gets personal about several difficult relationship experiences that have challenged the way he thinks about love...not just romantically, but within family and friendships too. From experiencing a deep r...

How much do race, upbringing and lived experience influence the way we interpret the world around us? Using the national conversation surrounding the death of Nolan Wells as a starting point, Andre explores how our personal experiences shape the conclusions we reach, and why two people can look at the same situation and see something completely different. Episode 58 examines race, trust, motivated...

What happens when you spend years trying to fit into boxes you were never meant to fit inside? In Episode 57 of Middle of the Fence , I sit down with Fab , owner of the award-winning Fab & Jules Salon in Montclair, to explore a journey shaped by immigration, identity, faith, sexuality, authenticity, and resilience. After moving from Brazil to the United States at just 13 years old, Fab found h...

When you hear the phrase "Black excellence," what comes to mind? For many people, it means extraordinary achievement—championships, wealth, awards, or public recognition. But what if we've been defining excellence too narrowly? In this episode of Middle of the Fence , Andre explores the historical origins of the phrase Black excellence , why it became an important form of recognitio...

Have you ever felt like the world wanted you to choose just one version of yourself? Whether it's your culture, career, beliefs, relationships, or identity, society often encourages us to simplify who we are so we fit neatly into a category. But life isn't that simple and neither are people. In Episode 55 of Middle of the Fence , Andre explores why humans naturally seek belonging, how co...

Can a nation's history define the people living there today? In Part 2 of this two-part documentary special, we move beyond headlines and explore the history behind one of the biggest conversations surrounding the 2026 FIFA World Cup. From the history of Afro-Argentines and European immigration to the stories nations choose to remember—and the ones they often forget—we examine how Argentina&a...

Can an entire country be defined by the actions of a few? As Argentina continues its 2026 FIFA World Cup run, accusations of racism have dominated headlines and social media following a viral incident involving streamer IShowSpeed. But before labeling an entire nation, are we asking the right question? In Part 1 of this two-part documentary special, I explore how viral moments shape public percept...

Most of us grow up wanting to be liked. We avoid conflict. We struggle to say no. We put other people's comfort ahead of our own authenticity. But what happens when chasing approval starts costing us opportunities, confidence, and peace of mind? In this episode of Middle of the Fence , Andre Spruell explores the difference between being liked and being respected and why understanding that dis...

How often do you decide who someone is before they've even finished introducing themselves? Whether it's the way someone dresses, speaks, carries themselves, or the assumptions we make based on appearance, first impressions happen almost instantly. But are they actually accurate? In this episode of Middle of the Fence , Andre Spruell explores the psychology behind first impressions, why...

Can you genuinely love someone you disagree with? In this solo episode, Andre explores one of the biggest challenges facing relationships today: maintaining connection with people whose beliefs, values, and perspectives differ from our own. Through personal stories, psychological insights, and reflections from hosting Middle of the Fence, he examines the difference between understanding and agreem...

For 50 episodes, Middle of the Fence has explored the spaces between cultures, backgrounds, identities, and life experiences. But what happens when the host reflects on what he's learned from the journey itself? In this milestone episode, Andre looks back on the lessons, conversations, challenges, and personal growth that came from creating the podcast. From growing up between different world...

The FIFA World Cup is often viewed as the biggest sporting event in the world. But why does it create such a powerful emotional connection for so many people? In this special World Cup edition of Middle of the Fence, Andre explores how sports can become a gateway to identity, belonging, culture, and heritage. Drawing from his experience growing up Black American and Argentinian, he reflects on how...

Why do some people feel like they fit in almost everywhere but still struggle to feel like they truly belong? In this episode of Middle of the Fence, Andre Spruell explores the hidden emotional challenges of growing up between different worlds, cultures, social circles, and expectations. From code-switching and adaptation to belonging and authenticity, Andre reflects on his own experiences navigat...

The environments we grow up in shape the way we communicate, trust, express emotion, handle conflict, and connect with others more than most people realize. In this episode of Middle of the Fence, Andre Spruell discusses how environment influences relationships across friendships, family, dating, networking, mentorship, and community. Topics include: • Emotional conditioning • Code switching • Soc...

On Episode 46 of Middle of the Fence, Andre Spruell sits down with Marlyn, host of The Raw Faith Podcast, for a powerful conversation about faith, identity, mental health, resilience, and navigating life between two completely different environments. Marlyn shares her experiences growing up between Harlem and suburban New Jersey while overcoming emotional struggles, learning disabilities, depressi...

In this solo episode of Middle of the Fence, Andre Spruell discusses the pressure many people feel approaching 30 years old and the emotional weight that comes with comparison culture, social media timelines, financial expectations, relationships, and success. Andre reflects on his own experiences throughout his 20s, including struggles with self-worth, confidence, unrealistic expectations, and le...

What if the reason you feel stuck isn’t your discipline… but your environment? In Episode 44 of Middle of the Fence , Andre Spruell breaks down how your environment shapes your standards, your habits, and what you believe is possible for your life often without you even realizing it. From the psychology behind behavior and social influence, to personal experiences growing up between “Tough Terrain...

In Episode 43 of Middle of the Fence , Andre sits down with Sarah Rose — creator of BPD Beautiful, author of Sadie’s Favorite , and musician — to discuss her journey navigating borderline personality disorder (BPD) and growing up around toxic relationship dynamics. For years, many people believed abuse was only physical. But as awareness grows, we’re beginning to understand the impact of emotional...

What happens when the way you talk changes depending on the room you're in? In this episode of Middle of the Fence , Andre Spruell explores the reality of growing up between two worlds and how language plays a major role in shaping identity, perception, and belonging. From the expressive and layered communication styles found in “Tough Terrain” environments to the more polished but often code...