Middle of the Fence

Andre Spruell
  • 4.0 (8)
  • Society & Culture

Welcome to Middle of the Fence, the podcast hosted by Andre Spruell that explores what it means to grow up between two different worlds. Raised in one of New Jersey’s highest-crime areas while attending private school in one of the wealthiest counties in the country, Andre experienced firsthand the contrast between environments, perspectives, expectations, and identities. But Middle of the Fence goes beyond just one story. This podcast dives into the experiences of people who have had to navigate different sides of life...whether socioeconomic, cultural, racial, religious, professional, or personal and the lessons, struggles, and growth that come from living between those worlds. Through authentic solo episodes, thought-provoking interviews, and honest conversations, Middle of the Fence tackles topics such as identity, mental health, personal growth, relationships, success, social pressure, faith, culture, and self-discovery. At its core, the podcast is about finding common ground in a divided world and reminding people that no matter what side of the fence we grew up on, we’re all more alike than we think. New episodes every Wednesday.

  1. 6d ago

    The Power of Transformation: Sobriety, Consciousness & Reinventing Yourself with German Palacio | Ep. 65

    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 taken him from early web design and coding to photography, music, technology, and stage design, adapting alongside more than two decades of technological change.   But this conversation goes far beyond his career. Andre and German dive into sobriety, meditation, consciousness, self-discipline, learning from mistakes, artificial intelligence, instant gratification, getting outside your comfort zone, and the importance of continuing to evolve as life changes. German also shares the philosophy behind one of his personal mottos: “You have to enter the hole to get out of the hole.” In other words, some of the experiences that challenge us most can also become the experiences that transform us...if we're willing to learn from them.  From nearly eight years of sobriety and meditation to watching technology completely reshape his career, German's story raises a bigger question: How much of becoming who we're meant to be requires letting go of who we used to be? Follow German Palacio & Explore His Work Learn more about German’s creative work, stage design, visual projects, and music: 🌐 German’s Website — UlisesPal.com 📸 Instagram — @ulisespal_ 🎵 Ulises Curve on Bandcamp 🎙️ Middle of the Fence — Episode 65 No matter what side of the fence you grew up on, we’re all more alike than we think. 📲 Follow & leave a 5-Star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating to best support this show.  🎥 Watch full episodes on YouTube: @andrespruell __ For more Middle of the Fence, visit: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/middleofthefence/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Middle-of-the-Fence-61572183504501/ Website: https://www.middleofthefence.com/

    The Power of Transformation: Sobriety, Consciousness & Reinventing Yourself with German Palacio | Ep. 65

  2. Sep 16

    Are You Building a Life or Just Escaping the One You Have? | Ep. 64

    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 financial freedom, pursuing the next opportunity, building businesses, and convincing yourself that once you reach the next milestone, then you'll finally be okay.  But what happens when you finally get there—and the goalpost moves again? This episode gets personal about financial insecurity, the desire for more, defining what “enough” looks like, balancing ambition with being present, and building a definition of success based on more than money, status, or material possessions. The goal isn't to stop wanting more. Keep the ambition. Change the fuel. From fear to purpose. From insecurity to vision. From proving people wrong to proving something to yourself. From constantly trying to escape your life to intentionally building one.  Before the episode ends, ask yourself three questions: What are you running from? What are you building toward? And if you finally get there, would you know how to enjoy it? 🎙️ Middle of the Fence — Episode 64 No matter what side of the fence you grew up on, we're all more alike than we think. 📲 Follow & leave a 5-Star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating to best support this show.  🎥 Watch full episodes on YouTube: @andrespruell __ For more Middle of the Fence, visit: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/middleofthefence/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Middle-of-the-Fence-61572183504501/ Website: https://www.middleofthefence.com/

    Are You Building a Life or Just Escaping the One You Have? | Ep. 64

  3. Sep 15

    Especial en Español: ¿Qué Está Pasando con ICE y los Inmigrantes en Estados Unidos? | Ep. 63

    ☢️ 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 is part of the reason I felt compelled to have this conversation in Spanish. I understand that every country needs immigration laws, documentation, borders, and security. But if the original goal was to target dangerous criminals, what happens when everyday workers, parents, and families become caught in the system too? In this special episode, I share my perspective on immigration, the impact on Hispanic and immigrant families, my own family’s story, and the question at the heart of this conversation: Who are the real criminals? This is a personal reflection and an invitation to continue the conversation—even when we may find ourselves on different sides of the fence. 🎙️ No matter what side of the fence you grew up on, we’re all more alike than we think. 📲 Follow & leave a 5-Star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating to best support this show.  🎥 Watch full episodes on YouTube: @andrespruell __ For more Middle of the Fence, visit: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/middleofthefence/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Middle-of-the-Fence-61572183504501/ Website: https://www.middleofthefence.com/

  4. Sep 9

    You Never Know What Someone Is Going Through: The Power of Empathy | Ep. 62

    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 quick to judge people from a small snapshot of their lives and how empathy, compassion, and giving others grace can change the way we see them. Andre also shares a personal story for the first time about a difficult period of his own life when he appeared happy around his peers while privately dealing with his grandfather's battle with cancer, his family's flooded home, and sleeping on a mattress in the living room. This isn't about excusing harmful behavior or removing healthy boundaries. It's about remembering one simple truth: Behavior is visible. Burdens usually aren't. Connect with Middle of the Fence and join the conversation. 🎙️ Hosted by Andre Spruell "No matter what side of the fence you grew up on, we're all more alike than we think" 📲 Follow & leave a 5-Star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating to best support this show.  🎥 Watch full episodes on YouTube: @andrespruell __ For more Middle of the Fence, visit: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/middleofthefence/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Middle-of-the-Fence-61572183504501/ Website: https://www.middleofthefence.com/

    You Never Know What Someone Is Going Through: The Power of Empathy | Ep. 62

  5. Sep 2

    Are the People Around You Helping You Grow or Keeping You Stuck? | Ep. 61

    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 explores choosing the right people to have around you, outgrowing friendships without making someone the villain, the responsibility that comes with being trustworthy, setting boundaries with family, and becoming more intentional about where we direct our time and energy. But there’s another side to the conversation: before we start evaluating everyone around us, we also have to ask whether WE are the kind of person others should want in their circle. Are you surrounding yourself with the right people? And just as importantly, are you being the right person for the people around you? 📲 Follow & leave a 5-Star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating to best support this show.  🎥 Watch full episodes on YouTube: @andrespruell __ For more Middle of the Fence, visit: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/middleofthefence/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Middle-of-the-Fence-61572183504501/ Website: https://www.middleofthefence.com/

    Are the People Around You Helping You Grow or Keeping You Stuck? | Ep. 61

  6. Aug 26

    Is Music Actually Getting Worse or Are We Just Getting Older? | Ep. 60

    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's another side to the conversation: nostalgia. Research suggests the music we hear during our formative years can become deeply connected to our memories, relationships and sense of identity. So are today's songs really worse—or are we comparing them to music carrying memories that new songs could never recreate? From Pitbull and Flo Rida throwbacks to Michael Jackson, Prince, Guns N' Roses and today's streaming era, this episode explores why music changes, why our tastes change and why certain songs will always hit differently. Maybe music changed...And maybe we did too. 🎵 What song instantly takes you back to another time in your life? 📲 Follow & leave a 5-Star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating to best support this show.  🎥 Watch full episodes on YouTube: @andrespruell __ For more Middle of the Fence, visit: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/middleofthefence/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Middle-of-the-Fence-61572183504501/ Website: https://www.middleofthefence.com/

    Is Music Actually Getting Worse or Are We Just Getting Older? | Ep. 60

  7. Aug 19

    Can You Love Someone and Still Choose Yourself? | Ep. 59

    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 romantic connection while realizing that connection and compatibility aren't always the same thing, to navigating an emotional conversation with family, to learning that loving a struggling friend doesn't mean you can rescue them, this episode explores what mature love may actually require from us.  Andre also explores Self-Expansion Theory, why losing someone can sometimes feel like losing part of yourself, the importance of autonomy within healthy relationships, and whether we should stop measuring the success of relationships solely by how long they last.   Because maybe someone can change your life without being meant to stay in it forever. Sometimes love means staying. Sometimes it means fighting harder. Sometimes it means having the uncomfortable conversation. Sometimes it means establishing a boundary. And sometimes love means letting go. So when does fighting for someone become holding onto something we're supposed to release and when does choosing ourselves become giving up too quickly?  Like most things in life, the truth is probably somewhere in the Middle of the Fence. "No matter what side of the fence you grew up on, we're all more alike than we think." ___________ 📲 Follow & leave a 5-Star rating on Spotify and Apple Podcasts to support this show.  🎥 Watch full episodes on YouTube: @andrespruell __ For more Middle of the Fence, visit: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/middleofthefence/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Middle-of-the-Fence-61572183504501/ Website: https://www.middleofthefence.com/ 📲 Follow & leave a 5-Star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating to best support this show.  🎥 Watch full episodes on YouTube: @andrespruell __ For more Middle of the Fence, visit: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/middleofthefence/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Middle-of-the-Fence-61572183504501/ Website: https://www.middleofthefence.com/

    Can You Love Someone and Still Choose Yourself? | Ep. 59

  8. Aug 12

    Does Race Shape the Way We See the Truth? | Ep. 58

    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 reasoning, cognitive bias and the tension between acknowledging history and allowing evidence to challenge what we already believe. History can shape the questions we ask. But should it determine the answers we accept? "No matter what side of the fence you grew up on, we're all more alike than we think." ___________ 📲 Follow & leave a 5-Star rating on Spotify and Apple Podcasts to support this show.  🎥 Watch full episodes on YouTube: @andrespruell __ For more Middle of the Fence, visit: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/middleofthefence/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Middle-of-the-Fence-61572183504501/ Website: https://www.middleofthefence.com/ 📲 Follow & leave a 5-Star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating to best support this show.  🎥 Watch full episodes on YouTube: @andrespruell __ For more Middle of the Fence, visit: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/middleofthefence/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Middle-of-the-Fence-61572183504501/ Website: https://www.middleofthefence.com/

    Does Race Shape the Way We See the Truth? | Ep. 58
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out of 5
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About

Welcome to Middle of the Fence, the podcast hosted by Andre Spruell that explores what it means to grow up between two different worlds. Raised in one of New Jersey’s highest-crime areas while attending private school in one of the wealthiest counties in the country, Andre experienced firsthand the contrast between environments, perspectives, expectations, and identities. But Middle of the Fence goes beyond just one story. This podcast dives into the experiences of people who have had to navigate different sides of life...whether socioeconomic, cultural, racial, religious, professional, or personal and the lessons, struggles, and growth that come from living between those worlds. Through authentic solo episodes, thought-provoking interviews, and honest conversations, Middle of the Fence tackles topics such as identity, mental health, personal growth, relationships, success, social pressure, faith, culture, and self-discovery. At its core, the podcast is about finding common ground in a divided world and reminding people that no matter what side of the fence we grew up on, we’re all more alike than we think. New episodes every Wednesday.

Information

  • Creator
    Andre Spruell
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    67
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Middle of the Fence
  • Show Website
    Middle of the Fence