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Middle of the Fence
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.
Middle of the Fence
Media Perception — Representation & Reality | Ep. 22
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
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 hear:
• The real impact of media stereotypes on identity
• Why Black poverty is overrepresented in the news
• How being biracial and navigating two worlds shaped Andre’s perspective
• Why questioning media narratives matters more than ever
• How storytelling, podcasts, and parasocial contact can change perceptions
Audience Question of the Week:
Is your perception of the hood and suburbs shaped more by media — or by your lived experiences?
Rate the show ★★★★★ on Apple Podcasts & Spotify to help MOTF grow!
Follow @andrespruell on YouTube for full length episodes & clips.
“No matter what side of the fence you grew up on, we’re all more alike than we think.”
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