Middle of the Fence

Have you ever felt like you’re not just representing yourself...but everything that makes you who you are? In this episode of Middle of the Fence , Andre Spruill dives into the emotional weight of representing your identity and how navigating multiple worlds can shape the way you think, act, and show up in different environments.  From cultural and religious identity to professional and personal e...

In this special full circle episode of Middle of the Fence , Yami Soriano—the very first recorded guest on the podcast—returns for a deeper conversation on growth, self-awareness, and stepping into your 30s. From learning to trust your intuition to realizing not everyone deserves access to you, this episode explores the real-life lessons that come with evolving through your 20s and into a new chap...

Have you ever felt like you're a completely different person depending on where you are? At work, you move one way.  With family, another.  With friends, another. If that sounds familiar, you're not fake...you’re navigating an identity tug-of-war. In this episode of Middle of the Fence , Andre Spruell dives into what it really means to grow up and operate between different worlds and how...

In this episode of Middle of the Fence , Andre sits down with entrepreneur and video strategist Flow Menez to explore how growing up in a chaotic environment can shape your mindset, behavior, and identity. Flow shares his experience navigating survival mode, anxiety, and control from a young age, and how those patterns followed him into adulthood. Through mindfulness, breathwork, and intentional s...

If you grew up between two worlds, you probably became the bridge. The one who explains both sides.  The one who keeps the peace.  The one who carries tension so others don’t have to. But over time… that role comes with a cost. In Episode 37 of Middle of the Fence , Andre Spruell explores the emotional labor of being “the bridge” — and how constantly navigating different environments, expectations...

Self-awareness is often considered one of the most important traits for personal growth and emotional intelligence. But what happens when self-awareness becomes overwhelming? Research suggests that while 95% of people believe they are self-aware, only about 10–15% actually are.   In this episode of the Middle of the Fence Podcast , Andre Spruell explores the hidden cost of hyper self-awareness and...

Many people think trauma comes from one major life event. But what if trauma is something that slowly forms through the environments we grow up in? In this episode of Middle of the Fence , Andre explores the survival mindset — the mental patterns that develop when peace, stability, or emotional safety aren’t guaranteed. Growing up in difficult environments can build resilience and strength, but th...

There comes a point in your life when you realize the parts of your story you once felt insecure about are actually the parts that shaped your strength. In this episode of Middle of the Fence, Andre explores what it truly means to own your story. Not just the highlights, but the vulnerabilities too. From growing up between two very different environments to struggling with a childhood stutter and...

In this episode of Middle of the Fence, Andre Spruell takes you inside his early school days and the challenges and triumphs that came along with that. From not having textbooks at the start of the school year and wearing knockoff uniforms, to long daily commutes fueled by family sacrifice, these experiences revealed early lessons about resilience, belonging, and perseverance. Despite feeling diff...

What did resilience cost you and what did it give back? In Episode 32 of Middle of the Fence , Andre sits down with artist and songwriter Josh Banton to unpack resilience, sacrifice, fatherhood, faith, and redefining success. From being raised in Brownsville, Brooklyn to living in Jamaica during pivotal teenage years, Josh shares how leaving comfort shaped his perspective and built his character....

The Fear of Being Seen Trying | Stop Hiding Your Growth (Ep. 31) Have you ever wanted something so badly… but stayed quiet about it? In this episode of Middle of the Fence , Andre dives into the fear of being seen and the anxiety that comes from putting yourself out there before you feel ready. From perfectionism and over-planning to overthinking and social judgment, this episode breaks down why s...

Have you ever felt lonely? Not because you had no one, but because you were becoming someone new? In this episode of Middle of the Fence , Andre Spruell dives into The Loneliness of Becoming — a powerful and often misunderstood phase of personal growth. This episode explores why growth can feel isolating, why discipline creates distance, and why evolving into a new version of yourself can leave yo...

Have you ever felt like becoming better was somehow making you worse? In Episode 29 of Middle of the Fence , Andre Spruell dives into a feeling many of us experience but rarely talk about—the Guilt of Growth . As you grow, your routines change. Your priorities change. Your availability changes. And sometimes, the people who knew the old version of you struggle to accept the new one. This episode e...

The suburbs didn’t just happen — they were built intentionally. In this solo episode of Middle of the Fence , Andre breaks down the history of American suburbs, starting earlier than most people are taught. From streetcar suburbs in the early 1900s to redlining, federal housing policy, and the construction of interstate highways, this episode explores how access, capital, and infrastructure shaped...

Juan Gamarra joins Middle of the Fence to discuss immigrating to the U.S. at a young age, navigating identity, embracing discomfort, and redefining success through value, ownership, and mindset. This episode is for anyone growing up between two worlds and learning how to stay true to themselves while building confidence and freedom. Middle of the Fence is a podcast for anyone who grew up between t...

As we head into 2026, it’s time to get honest about what actually creates change. In this episode of Middle of the Fence , Andre Spruell breaks down the truth about goal setting, including why motivation fades, why discipline lasts, and how small habit shifts can completely transform your life. Drawing from personal experience and behavioral psychology research, Andre explains why so many people f...

Christmas doesn’t look the same for everyone and that contrast can shape us for life. In this Christmas Special episode of Middle of the Fence, I reflect on growing up between Tough Terrain and Affluent Acres, where some Christmases were full of gifts and others were defined by sacrifice, gratitude, and family resilience. I share personal stories from childhood, high school, college, and my early...

In this episode of Middle of the Fence, Andre Spruell is joined by Sofia Nazari for a raw and reflective conversation about immigrant roots, identity shifts, discipline, and transformation. Sofia opens up about growing up in an extended Afghan household, facing financial struggle, cultural misunderstanding, and early responsibility, experiences that shaped her mindset long before adulthood. Togeth...

In Episode 23 of Middle of the Fence, Andre breaks down a tough but necessary conversation: police brutality, systemic bias, and how policing looks drastically different on the “Tough Terrain” vs. “Affluent Acres” sides of the fence. Drawing from lived experience, academic research, traffic-stop data, and a 2006 FBI report on white supremacist infiltration in law enforcement, this episode examines...

In this episode, Andre explores how media, from TV shows and movies to news cycles and social feeds, shapes the way we view neighborhoods, people, class, race, and opportunity. Using personal experiences and academic research, he breaks down why the “hood” is often portrayed negatively, why the suburbs are glamorized, and how these narratives influence our assumptions without us noticing.  You’ll...

This Thanksgiving, we’re sitting at two different tables, but celebrating the same heart of gratitude 🦃✨ Andre reflects on:  • Thanksgiving traditions in a big Hispanic & Black family household  • Cultural dishes and making the most of what you have  • Discovering suburban holiday traditions (like cranberry sauce for the first time 😅)  • The 3 things he’s grateful for in 2025: opportunity,...

This week on Middle of the Fence , Andre Spruell welcomes Matt Riddick, JD — a respected leader, mentor, and philanthropist whose story embodies resilience and purpose. From his roots in Philadelphia’s “Tough Terrain” to his career leading organizations and mentoring future leaders, Matt shares lessons on:  – Chasing perfection without losing peace  – Building genuine connection in a disconnected...

In Episode 19 of Middle of the Fence , host Andre Spruell breaks down how real estate looks completely different depending on which side of the fence you’re on — Tough Terrain or Affluent Acres . From reverse mortgages that strip generational wealth in Black and Brown communities to lowball cash offers and heir’s property losses , Andre exposes the financial traps that keep people in urban environ...

Andre Spruell and Jeremy Paulino return with bonus content from Episode 18 of Middle of the Fence Podcast — and this one’s for the wrestling fans. 💪 The duo relives the golden era of WWE , ranking their favorite wrestlers, entrance themes, and finishers that defined the sport’s glory days. From Stone Cold and The Rock to Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker, this conversation is pure nostalgia and e...

In this episode of Middle of the Fence , Andre Spruell welcomes Jeremy Paulino (@jeremypaulin0) for a powerful conversation about faith, transformation, and personal growth. Jeremy shares his story of growing up in the Bronx, adjusting to life in New Jersey, and discovering his purpose through Christ. Together, Andre and Jeremy open up about spiritual trauma, rediscovering faith, overcoming depres...