This solo episode of Middle of the Fence takes you inside my summer experiences growing up between two completely different worlds — the vibrant, gritty energy of the Tough Terrain and the structured, privilege-filled days of the Affluent Acres.

From block parties, ice cream trucks, and hot city streets to beach houses, boat rides, and summer camps, I share what these contrasting summers taught me about adaptability, social class, and community culture. You’ll hear:

• How science proves it’s literally hotter in low-income neighborhoods during summer
• Why structured activities shape affluent summers — and what’s missing in others
• The lessons I carried from basketball courts to lake houses
• How one epic summer party brought both worlds together

Whether your summers were spent under city heat or lakeside sunsets, this episode will make you reflect on what summer taught you about your own world.

🎧 Listen now and join the conversation in the comments.

🎙️ Middle of the Fence Podcast | In this inspiring episode, Andre Spruell sits down with Yami Soriano to share her story of growing up on the “Tough Terrain” side of the fence in East Orange, NJ. Yami opens up about her Afro-Latina identity, life in a Dominican household, and the challenges of navigating cultural perceptions while finding her confidence.

Together, Andre and Yami explore the parallels between urban and suburban worlds, how family and community shape our values, and why experiencing different environments can change the way we see ourselves and others.

💬 Whether you were raised in “Tough Terrain” or “Affluent Acres,” this episode is a powerful reminder that no matter what side of the fence we come from, we are all more alike than we think.

👉 Listen now and subscribe to the Middle of the Fence Podcast for more real, unfiltered conversations bridging both sides of life’s fence.

In this episode of Middle of the Fence, host Andre Spruell reconnects with longtime friend Drake Brown to explore what it means to grow up between two vastly different worlds: Tough Terrain (urban, high-pressure environments) and Affluent Acres (suburban, privileged spaces).

From navigating predominantly white private schools as Black men, to experiencing microaggressions, culture shock, and building resilience, this conversation dives deep into race, identity, empathy, and personal growth.

💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How growing up in different environments shapes identity and perspective
• The impact of microaggressions and navigating PWIs (Predominantly White Institutions)
• The role of family and older siblings in building mental toughness
• How to bridge the gap between socioeconomic and cultural divides
• Lessons in empathy, resilience, and staying true to yourself

🔥 Key Quote:
"No matter which side of the fence you grew up on, we’re all more alike than we think."

📌 Listen to More Episodes of Middle of the Fence:
Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | iHeartRadio

👉 Follow the Show:
Instagram: @middleofthefence
Website: www.middleofthefence.com

What happens when a kid from a gritty urban neighborhood attends school in an elite, suburban environment? In this solo episode, host Andre Spruell dives deep into his formative years spent on the "Affluent Acres" side of the fence—a stark contrast to his everyday life in the "Tough Terrain."

Andre shares raw reflections and vivid stories about navigating privilege, unspoken social codes, and racial identity in predominantly white, wealthy spaces. From awkward classroom moments to quiet realizations about access, advantage, and assimilation, this episode explores the cost and benefit of crossing socioeconomic lines at a young age.

🔑 Key themes:

• Privilege vs. character: What access really means
• Being the “only one” in elite spaces
• Social invisibility & micro-moments of alienation
• Learning life lessons in Affluent Acres

Whether you’ve lived between worlds or you’re trying to understand what that feels like, this episode offers a candid, heartfelt lens on code-switching, resilience, and the pursuit of belonging.

👉 Subscribe, rate, and share if this conversation resonates with your experience!

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#MiddleOfTheFence #AffluentAcres #BlackPodcast #CodeSwitching #SocioeconomicDivide #UrbanToSuburban #AccessAndPrivilege #PodcastForTheCulture

Episode 2: Being a Black Man as a Kid – Adultification, Resilience & Empathy | Middle of the Fence Podcast

In this episode of Middle of the Fence, host Andre Spruell dives deep into the real-life experiences of growing up as a Black and Argentinian kid navigating both "Tough Terrain" (urban, underprivileged environments) and "Affluent Acres" (wealthy, suburban spaces).

Andre shares personal stories about:

• The adultification of Black children—how Black kids are forced to grow up faster due to societal biases
• The racial challenges of private school life in predominantly white environments
• Real-life examples of discrimination as a biracial teenager in America
• The advantages of growing up on the "Tough Terrain" side: developing street smarts, resilience, and adaptability
• Why empathy and gratitude are essential life tools regardless of socioeconomic background

This episode sheds light on intergenerational struggles, single-parent household realities, and bridging cultural divides. Whether you grew up in the city, the suburbs, or somewhere in between, Andre’s raw and relatable stories will resonate.

Welcome to the premiere episode of Middle of the Fence, hosted by Andre Spruell — a storyteller and podcast creator who grew up straddling two starkly different environments: the gritty streets of Orange, NJ and the affluent suburbs of Morris County.

This isn’t your typical true crime, politics, or toxic masculinity podcast. Instead, Middle of the Fence explores the reality of navigating life between what Andre calls the "Tough Terrain" (urban communities facing systemic and economic challenges) and "Affluent Acres" (privileged suburban neighborhoods with access and opportunity). Andre shares raw, personal stories from his upbringing — from exposure to violence and financial struggle, to the privilege of private education and the pressures of high achievement.

In this first episode, you’ll hear about:

• The origin and purpose of the podcast
• Andre’s biracial identity as Black American and Argentinian
• The economic, emotional, and cultural contrasts between inner-city and suburban life
• Eye-opening personal stories of resilience, sacrifice, and community
• The growing multiracial population and its significance
• Why access and opportunity—not just money—are the true dividing lines

Whether you grew up in the hood or the suburbs, this podcast is here to challenge assumptions, bridge perspectives, and highlight the grit it takes to live in the middle.

🔔 Subscribe now and tap into the conversation from both sides of the fence.

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#UrbanVsSuburban #MiddleOfTheFence #PodcastLaunch #BiracialIdentity #AccessAndOpportunity #ToughTerrain #AffluentAcres #BlackVoices #ComingOfAge #StorytellingPodcast