Middle of the Fence

Andre Spruell

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. 12h ago

    Why Is It So Hard to Be Vulnerable?...Trust, Fear & Emotional Growth | Ep. 70

    Why is being vulnerable so difficult, even with the people we love and trust the most? We all want to feel understood, accepted, and connected. Yet, when it comes to expressing our deepest emotions, fears, and personal struggles, many of us choose silence over vulnerability. But what happens when protecting ourselves emotionally begins to prevent us from building meaningful relationships? In Episode 70 of Middle of the Fence, host Andre Spruell explores the fear of vulnerability, emotional intelligence, men's mental health, and the importance of trust and communication in our relationships. Through personal experiences, psychological research, and honest self-reflection, Andre examines why opening up can feel so uncomfortable, how societal expectations influence men's emotional expression, and why vulnerability isn't necessarily a weakness but can be an essential part of personal growth. Andre also opens up about a deeply personal struggle he's never previously discussed on the podcast, sharing how confronting uncomfortable truths about himself has influenced his journey toward greater self-awareness, discipline, and purpose. In this episode, we explore: Why vulnerability feels uncomfortable: Understanding the fear of judgment, rejection, and being misunderstood.Vulnerability vs. privacy: Are we protecting our peace, or avoiding difficult conversations?Men's mental health and masculinity: How societal expectations can discourage men from expressing their emotions and seeking support.Trust and emotional safety: Why being vulnerable requires more than simply opening up to someone.Healthy relationships and communication: How emotional honesty and empathy help strengthen meaningful connections.Personal growth through vulnerability: Andre's experiences with therapy, self-reflection, and confronting personal struggles.One important question to consider: We often encourage others to open up and express their feelings, but are we creating environments where they feel safe enough to do so? Join the conversation! What's something you've learned about vulnerability as you've gotten older? Have you found it easier or more difficult to open up to others? Share your thoughts in the comments or connect with us directly. 🧠 RESEARCH REFERENCED: Aron (1997) — The Experimental Generation of Interpersonal Closeness: A Procedure and Some Preliminary Findings https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167297234003Wong (2017) — Meta-Analyses of the Relationship Between Conformity to Masculine Norms and Mental Health-Related Outcomes https://doi.org/10.1037/cou0000176Laurenceau (1998) — Intimacy as an Interpersonal Process: The Importance of Self-Disclosure, Partner Disclosure, and Perceived Partner Responsiveness in Interpersonal Exchanges https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.74.5.1238📲 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/ __ 🎙️ ABOUT MIDDLE OF THE FENCE Middle of the Fence explores the gray areas of life through honest conversations about relationships, identity, culture, success, personal growth, and the experiences that shape our perspectives. Because no matter what side of the fence you grew up on, we all have something to learn from one another.

    Why Is It So Hard to Be Vulnerable?...Trust, Fear & Emotional Growth | Ep. 70

  2. Oct 28

    More Than Where You Come From: Identity, Family & Resilience with Michelle Egner | Ep. 69

    Your past may shape you, but it doesn't have to define your future. In Episode 69 of Middle of the Fence, host Andre Spruell sits down with New Jersey real estate agent Michelle Egner for an inspiring conversation about cultural identity, family, childhood trauma, financial struggles, resilience, and personal growth. Born in China and adopted into an Italian-American family, Michelle grew up navigating two different cultural identities while experiencing a reality that many people around her never saw. Despite living in the affluent community of Morris Plains, New Jersey, her family faced significant financial hardship and challenges behind closed doors. Michelle opens up about growing up in a household affected by domestic violence, the sacrifices her mother made to support her family, and the people who helped her find strength during difficult times. Rather than allowing those experiences to define her, Michelle chose to turn adversity into motivation, developing the work ethic, independence, and determination that eventually led her into a successful career in New Jersey real estate. In this episode, we discuss: Cultural identity and belongingGrowing up between two worldsFamily and sacrificeChildhood trauma Resilience and breaking cyclesFinancial independence and career growthKindness and empathyThroughout the conversation, Michelle shares how her mother's work ethic continues to inspire her and why she believes life's greatest challenges can become motivation for something better. Her story reminds us that success isn't simply about where we start, but how we respond to the experiences that shape us. Connect with Michelle Egner Follow Michelle on Instagram: @michellesellsnj_ 📲 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/ __ 🎙️ ABOUT MIDDLE OF THE FENCE Middle of the Fence explores the gray areas of life through honest conversations about relationships, identity, culture, success, personal growth, and the experiences that shape our perspectives. Because no matter what side of the fence you grew up on, we all have something to learn from one another.

    More Than Where You Come From: Identity, Family & Resilience with Michelle Egner | Ep. 69

  3. Oct 21

    Embrace Your Roots: Growing Beyond Your Past | Ep. 68

    Never forget where you came from. But don't let where you came from determine how far you can go. In Episode 68 of Middle of the Fence, Andre Spruell returns to the bedroom where the podcast first began for a personal conversation about embracing your roots, breaking generational cycles, and finding the courage to create your own path. From dreaming of becoming a professional basketball player to discovering his purpose through podcasting, Andre reflects on how our ambitions evolve while the core values instilled in us by family, faith, and life experiences continue to shape who we are. He also discusses the pressure of pursuing dreams without a blueprint, the importance of believing in yourself when others can't see your vision, and why creating a better future doesn't mean turning your back on your past. What started as an idea in a journal and original videos recorded on a phone has grown into nearly 70 episodes of Middle of the Fence. Returning to that same room serves as a reminder that even the biggest dreams can begin in the most ordinary places. In this episode, we explore: Embracing your upbringing without being limited by itBreaking generational cycles and creating new opportunitiesHow changing ambitions can lead you closer to your purposeThe influence of family, faith, and personal valuesChasing dreams when there's no clear roadmapWhy personal growth requires embracing changeLiving with purpose instead of regretYour roots are your foundation, not your limitations. No matter what side of the fence you grew up on, we're all more alike than we think. 🎙️ New episodes of Middle of the Fence every Wednesday. 📲 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/ __ 🎙️ ABOUT MIDDLE OF THE FENCE Middle of the Fence explores the gray areas of life through honest conversations about relationships, identity, culture, success, personal growth, and the experiences that shape our perspectives. Because no matter what side of the fence you grew up on, we all have something to learn from one another.

  4. Oct 14

    Starting Over: Fashion, Divorce & Finding Yourself Again | Rachel Elle | Ep. 67

    What does it take to start over, believe in yourself, and build a life that truly reflects who you are? In Episode 67 of Middle of the Fence, Andre sits down with fashion designer Rachel Elle for an inspiring conversation about personal growth, resilience, career success, divorce, and embracing new beginnings. Growing up on a farm in Pennsylvania, Rachel developed a strong work ethic and discovered her passion for sewing at just eight years old. That childhood passion eventually led her into the competitive fashion industry, where she worked to turn her creative dreams into a career. But Rachel's journey hasn't been without challenges. From navigating divorce and rediscovering her independence to celebrating new chapters and embarking on a solo adventure to Easter Island, Rachel shares how life's unexpected turns helped shape the person she is today. In this episode, we explore: Growing up on a farm and discovering a passion for fashion designBreaking into the fashion industry through hard work and perseveranceNavigating divorce, healing, and finding yourself againThe story behind Rachel's viral divorce partyTraveling solo to Easter Island and embracing new experiencesLearning not to take other people's opinions personallyThe importance of self-belief, kindness, and respecting different perspectivesWhether you're navigating a major life transition, chasing a career goal, or learning to trust yourself again, Rachel's story is a reminder that starting over can lead to opportunities you never imagined. 📲 FOLLOW RACHEL'S JOURNEY Instagram: @Rachel__Elle (two underscores) 💭 QUESTION OF THE EPISODE: Have you ever experienced a major life change that ultimately helped you discover a stronger version of yourself? 📲 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/ __ 🎙️ ABOUT MIDDLE OF THE FENCE Middle of the Fence explores the gray areas of life through honest conversations about relationships, identity, culture, success, personal growth, and the experiences that shape our perspectives. Because no matter what side of the fence you grew up on, we all have something to learn from one another.

    Starting Over: Fashion, Divorce & Finding Yourself Again | Rachel Elle | Ep. 67

  5. Oct 7

    Why Do We Romanticize the Past? Are We Remembering It Clearly? | Ep. 66

    Why does the past sometimes feel better than the life we’re living right now? Old relationships. Childhood memories. Previous jobs. Family gatherings. Different versions of ourselves. It’s easy to look backward and convince ourselves that things were somehow simpler or better back then. But are we remembering the full reality or just the highlights? In Episode 66 of Middle of the Fence, Andre explores why we romanticize the past, how nostalgia shapes the way we remember different chapters of our lives, and why uncertainty about the future can make familiar memories feel especially comforting. Andre also reflects on some of his own experiences...from growing up around large family gatherings to holding onto past romantic situations longer than he probably needed to. Nostalgia isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Our memories help shape who we are. But there’s a difference between appreciating where you’ve been and becoming stuck there. Because one day, the season you’re living in right now will become a memory too. 🎙️ 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 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/ __ 🎙️ ABOUT MIDDLE OF THE FENCE Middle of the Fence explores the gray areas of life through honest conversations about relationships, identity, culture, success, personal growth, and the experiences that shape our perspectives. Because no matter what side of the fence you grew up on, we all have something to learn from one another.

    Why Do We Romanticize the Past? Are We Remembering It Clearly? | Ep. 66

  6. Sep 30

    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/ __ 🎙️ ABOUT MIDDLE OF THE FENCE Middle of the Fence explores the gray areas of life through honest conversations about relationships, identity, culture, success, personal growth, and the experiences that shape our perspectives. Because no matter what side of the fence you grew up on, we all have something to learn from one another.

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

  7. 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/ __ 🎙️ ABOUT MIDDLE OF THE FENCE Middle of the Fence explores the gray areas of life through honest conversations about relationships, identity, culture, success, personal growth, and the experiences that shape our perspectives. Because no matter what side of the fence you grew up on, we all have something to learn from one another.

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

  8. 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/ __ 🎙️ ABOUT MIDDLE OF THE FENCE Middle of the Fence explores the gray areas of life through honest conversations about relationships, identity, culture, success, personal growth, and the experiences that shape our perspectives. Because no matter what side of the fence you grew up on, we all have something to learn from one another.

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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
    72
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Middle of the Fence
  • Show Website
    Middle of the Fence