Both Sides of the Fence

Jennifer McIntyre
  • 4.7 (7)
  • Society & Culture

Both Sides of the Fence is a bi-weekly podcast hosted by two unlikely allies who represent deeply different lived experiences and worldviews—yet share a commitment to honest dialogue, empathy, and respect. Derek McCance – A respected gay male business owner and active community leaderJennifer McIntyre – A conservative mother, oil and gas industry professional, and outspoken industry advocateTogether, they explore today’s most polarizing political, cultural, and social issues from opposite sides of the fence. Rather than debating to “win,” the hosts aim to understand how people arrive at their beliefs—and where common ground still exists.

  1. 3d ago

    Your Ballot Is Your Power So Use It

    Voting gets talked about like it’s just a personal preference, but we see it as something bigger: dignity, freedom, and the power to protect each other’s seat at the table. We start with the human side of the ballot, then zoom out to a reality a lot of people forget: having a formal voting system is not the global default. That perspective changes how you value Election Day and why voting rights deserve real attention, not just hot takes. We walk through a clear timeline of voting rights in the United States, including what the Constitution does and doesn’t say, why states control so many election rules, and how long it took for access to expand through the 14th, 15th, and 19th Amendments and beyond. We talk about Native American voting history, the ugly role literacy tests played, and why Voting Rights Act protections and accessibility updates for elderly voters and voters with disabilities are not ancient history; they’re recent and relevant. Then we get practical about midterm elections and voter turnout. Midterms decide the local and state leaders who shape property taxes, school budgets, roads, zoning, policing priorities, and even how elections are administered and how district lines are drawn. They also determine control of Congress, which affects what bills move forward, how federal spending works, and which judges are confirmed. We close with Election Day tips like finding your polling place (vote.gov), staying in line, understanding mail-in ballot deadlines, asking poll workers for help, and keeping realistic expectations as results are counted. If this helped you feel more informed and less overwhelmed, subscribe, share the episode with a friend, and leave a review. What’s one issue that will motivate you to vote this year?   The link below is our Link-tree, which will take you to all of Both Sides Of the Fence's social media. https://linktr.ee/BothSidesOfTheFence_Podcast

  2. Oct 19

    Shifter, a dedicated biker and Vice President of Bikers Against Child Abuse (B.A.C.A.), safeguards abused children through unwavering support and presence.

    A kid shouldn’t have to walk into court feeling alone, disbelieved, and terrified. We sit down with Shifter from Bikers Against Child Abuse (BACA) to talk about what real protection looks like when it’s built on consistency, training, and calm presence, not violence. If you’ve ever wondered how a child can feel safe enough to tell the truth, this conversation goes straight to the heart of it. We get into how BACA works as an international nonprofit with local chapters, why members go through background checks and recurring screenings, and what it means to be a “primary” who stays available 24-7. Shifter explains practical, trauma-informed support during high-stress moments like court hearings and safety threats at home, including the “wall of denim” used to block a child’s view of a perpetrator. We also talk about the tight line BACA walks in court: showing up with strength while staying disciplined so they don’t jeopardize a case. Then we shift to what healing can look like beyond the worst day. Road names, kids’ cuts with privacy in mind, teddy bears “filled with hugs,” and carefully escorted empowerment rides all serve one goal: helping a child feel like a kid again. We also speak candidly about court delays, re-victimization, mandated reporting, and how communities can do better by listening and acting sooner. If you want to support child advocacy, learn about child abuse prevention, or find resources for families, listen now, share this with someone who needs it, and subscribe, leave a review, and tell us what safety should look like in your community. If you're interested in learning more about Bikers Against Child Abuse (B.A.C.A.), please clink the link below https://bacaworld.org/   The link below is our Link-tree, which will take you to all of Both Sides Of the Fence's social media. https://linktr.ee/BothSidesOfTheFence_Podcast

  3. Oct 5

    BSOTF - Episode 13. Safety Pins, Shaman Crystals, and Real Talk with special guest Kim Brown, teacher and owner of Spotlight Costumes, LLC, in Pittsburgh, PA.

    Kim wears an apron almost everywhere she goes, and once you hear why, you’ll never look at “being prepared” the same way again. We talk with Kim, a Pittsburgh costume designer, Spotlight Costume shop owner, and arts educator whose life has been shaped by creativity, loss, grit, and a stubborn commitment to making beauty in an anxious world. What starts as a conversation about scissors, safety pins, and a little bit of spiritual protection turns into something bigger: identity, authenticity, and what it means to show up as your real self. We dig into the role of art in mental health and trauma, including the hard truth that grief doesn’t disappear. Kim shares how teaching becomes legacy, why she wants students to be better than she is, and what she learns when young artists bring new ideas into the room. We also get practical about arts advocacy and community support, from buying tickets and donating locally to understanding the unseen labor that holds every production together, and why unions and fair pay still matter. Then we pivot into civic engagement and accountability. We talk voting beyond presidential years, local government power, healthcare costs for small business owners, critical thinking in the age of social media, and why “we’re the boss” can’t just be a slogan. If you care about Pittsburgh theater, supporting artists, small business survival, democracy, or simply reconnecting with people again, this conversation is for you. Subscribe to Both Sides Of The Fence, share this with someone who needs a spark, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway.   The link below is our Link-tree, which will take you to all of Both Sides Of the Fence's social media. https://linktr.ee/BothSidesOfTheFence_Podcast

  4. Sep 14

    Episode 12 with another special guest Lannie McAllister, Cinderella would be proud of this come back or coming of age story.

    A lot of people talk about “breaking the cycle” like it’s a slogan. Then you hear a story like Lainey McAllister’s and realize it is a series of decisions made under real pressure, with real consequences, over decades. We start in Charlotte, North Carolina, where Lainey’s earliest comforts are books, science, and a nightly Cinderella ritual, while her home life is marked by poverty, food insecurity, a father’s gambling and alcoholism, and the heavy silence that often surrounds family trauma. Lainey connects the dots between what her parents survived and what she inherited, including how abuse, racism, and untreated pain can become a household “normal” even when no one names it. We talk honestly about generational trauma, mental health, and the line between explanation and responsibility, plus why therapy becomes a practical tool for change instead of a taboo. From there, Lainey shares what it takes to choose a different path: resisting gang culture and peer pressure, holding onto faith as a source of safety, and confronting the dangerous familiarity of an abusive relationship in adulthood. Her turning point is unforgettable, and it leads to a hard-earned rebuild, including returning to college later in life to complete a biology degree. We also zoom out to the Galapagos Islands for a surprising lesson in calm, gratitude, and community care, then end with what marriage looks like when two people lead with grace, tell hard truths, and refuse to lose themselves. If this conversation helps you, subscribe, share it with someone who needs hope, and leave a review so more listeners can find it.   The link below is our Link-tree, which will take you to all of Both Sides Of the Fence's social media. https://linktr.ee/BothSidesOfTheFence_Podcast

  5. Aug 31

    In Episode 11 of Both Sides Of The Fence, we welcome Bishop E. W. Jackson. He joins us to discuss his life, including his experiences, and how he went from foster care to Harvard through discipline and faith.

    We sit down with Bishop Jackson to trace the turning points that took him from foster care and street trouble to discipline, faith, and public life. We wrestle with how to hold convictions without hatred, and how shared humanity can cut through today’s political and cultural division.  • foster care, gang involvement, and the day his father intervenes  • a school reset, a safer classroom, and a teacher who builds confidence  • learning worth, boundaries, and empathy without excusing harm  • reconciling America’s painful history with optimism and gratitude  • reading the Bible as curiosity that becomes personal faith  • how faith reshapes marriage, parenting, and friendships  • drawing the line between faith and politics through a biblical worldview  • personal responsibility, consequences, and the role of family in teaching accountability  • why moral disagreement gets mislabeled as hate and how to keep conversations respectful  • race, identity, and the push to relate through shared humanity  • leaving the Democratic Party over conscience and social issues  • bridging the partisan gap by praying for opponents and treating people as human  If everyone could remember to like, follow, share the podcast, tell your friends, families, and neighbors about what we it is that we're trying to accomplish here.   The link below is our Link-tree, which will take you to all of Both Sides Of the Fence's social media. https://linktr.ee/BothSidesOfTheFence_Podcast

  6. Aug 17

    In episode 10 of Both Sides Of The Fence, we welcome back Lenny McAllister. This time, he brings along his latest book, A Venn Diagram Of One And The Leadership We Need.

    We talk with Lenny McAllister about his new book *A Venn Diagram of One* and why it leaves us feeling hopeful about America when it is hard to feel optimistic. We dig into security, empowerment, opportunity, and what it takes to rebuild trust, community, and real leadership across political lines.  • Why the book lands as an approachable read for everyday American citizens  • The security, empowerment, opportunity framework and why security has to come first  • The difference between power and empowerment and why it changes civic life  • Redefining leadership beyond follower counts, virality, and titles  • Standing on principle even when it costs money, relationships, and speaking opportunities  • America as a second act nation and why young people need that story  • Inflection points versus reflection points and why trust is the missing ingredient  • Hurt people hurting people and how fear and economic stress fuel political anger  • The American Dream shifting into an economic-only story and what gets lost  • Faith as obligation through works, loving Americans, and taking care of yourself to avoid burnout  • Why questioning our own assumptions is the real path to healing  Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share. And if you also like this next episode with Land McAllister on a Venn diagram of one.   The link below is our Link-tree, which will take you to all of Both Sides Of the Fence's social media. https://linktr.ee/BothSidesOfTheFence_Podcast

  7. Jul 31

    Both Sides Of The Fence episode 9 with special Co Host Dereks husband Bon'Sel

    Healthcare that bankrupts working families. Faith that gets weaponized. Immigration enforcement that makes even citizens wonder if they’re safe. If any of that hits a nerve, you’ll feel right at home with us. Derek is joined by a special co-host, his husband Bon'Sel, for a hot-topics conversation that stays honest, personal, and grounded in real life rather than talking points. We dig into why the United States spends more on healthcare than almost any other country while people still can’t afford insurance or medication, and how big pharma lobbying and campaign donations keep reform stuck. From there, we talk about religious freedom and what respect looks like when someone believes differently, including the damage done when LGBTQ people are shamed or excluded in the name of God. We also zoom out to what “community” used to mean and how small acts of kindness can rebuild trust. Then we tackle immigration and border security with compassion and clarity, including stories about fear, ICE encounters, and what a lawful, humane system should protect. We also get into the cost-of-living crisis, why politicians get rich in public service, and why people feel like they’re living in a Hunger Games economy. Finally, we talk AI risks, the need for regulation, and the opioid and drug epidemic through a personal family recovery story that brings everything back to empathy. If you like thoughtful debate without dehumanizing anyone, subscribe, share this with a friend who needs it, and leave us a review so more people can find the show.   The link below is our Link-tree, which will take you to all of Both Sides Of the Fence's social media. https://linktr.ee/BothSidesOfTheFence_Podcast

  8. Jul 20

    Both Sides Of The Fence episode 8 part 2, Coming Out And Coming Home

    The hardest part of coming out is not always saying the words; it is what happens next, when your family is already stretched thin. We bring Derek’s mom and dad back for a raw, detailed conversation about the first time Derek came out, why it exploded into fear and denial, and how trauma and chaos at home can lead a parent to misread a child’s truth as “attention” or “acting out.” If you care about LGBTQ family acceptance, parenting through crisis, and real-life healing, this story goes beyond slogans and into the messy middle where most families actually live. We talk about repression and the unintended harm of trying to “fix” what you do not understand, as well as how strict rules can become a stand-in for love when everyone feels out of control. Derek opens up about masking his sexuality, dating a girl to appease expectations, and how shame and pressure can spill into consequences that follow you for years. We also dig into bullying, school safety failures, and why kids stop reporting harm when adults refuse to take them seriously. Then the tone shifts: one conversation about the word “choice” becomes a hinge moment that helps his parents see the daily cost of being gay in a hostile environment. From there, we trace the slow rebuild: learning, meeting real people instead of stereotypes, and choosing presence over perfection. If you are a parent, a teen, or someone trying to repair family relationships after a painful coming out, you will hear practical guidance, hard-earned empathy, and hope that does not ignore the damage. Subscribe so you do not miss what comes next, share this with someone who needs it, and leave a review to help more families find these conversations. What part of your story still needs a turning point?   The link below is our Link-tree, which will take you to all of Both Sides Of the Fence's social media. https://linktr.ee/BothSidesOfTheFence_Podcast

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Ratings & Reviews

4.7
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Both Sides of the Fence is a bi-weekly podcast hosted by two unlikely allies who represent deeply different lived experiences and worldviews—yet share a commitment to honest dialogue, empathy, and respect. Derek McCance – A respected gay male business owner and active community leaderJennifer McIntyre – A conservative mother, oil and gas industry professional, and outspoken industry advocateTogether, they explore today’s most polarizing political, cultural, and social issues from opposite sides of the fence. Rather than debating to “win,” the hosts aim to understand how people arrive at their beliefs—and where common ground still exists.

Information

  • Creator
    Jennifer McIntyre
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Both Sides of the Fence
  • Show Website
    Both Sides of the Fence