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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
History of the Suburbs: How Affluent Acres Was Built | Ep. 28
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
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 suburban life as we know it today.
Andre also shares personal stories of growing up commuting between Tough Terrain and Affluent Acres, and why the sacrifices involved in crossing that invisible fence often go unnoticed.
This episode examines both sides of suburban living — the stability and opportunity it created for some, and the long-term consequences of segregation, disinvestment, and unequal school funding for others.
Question for listeners:
Are the suburbs becoming more inclusive — or simply more expensive?
Give us a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating to continue growing the MOTF family!
Follow us on Instagram - @middleofthefence
Follow Andre - @andrespruell across all major platforms
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