Cary Harrison Files' Unzipped: ”Favors, Freeloaders & 50/50 Lies"

Thanks to the FCC, and thanks to the defunding of public radio and PBS, I thank you for your direct support!The Cary Harrison Files’ Unzipped:Welcome back to the only program brave enough to stare into the gaping mouth of modern society and say, “Is that breath or just moral rot?”You’re listening to Unzipped’s Half the Effort, Twice the Nerve—the broadcast equivalent of a polite middle finger. Because these days, being helpful gets you treated like a vending machine: push a button, get your snack, walk away. No “thanks,” no “you didn’t have to,” just the vague expectation that you’ll be fully stocked next time they get a craving for convenience.Somewhere along the digital highway, we swerved off gratitude and crashed straight into entitlement. You help someone move a couch, they ask if you can paint the walls. You loan them twenty, they come back for two hundred. And God help you if you ever say “no”—suddenly you’re the problem. The nerve.And then there’s relationships—oh yes, let’s wade into that tar pit. We’ve been sold this slick little slogan that “relationships are 50/50.” Equal give and take, split down the middle like a pizza—no anchovies. But out here in the real world? One poor b*****d’s usually doing all the work while the other’s emotionally unavailable and thinks “reciprocation” is something that happens in biology class. Someone’s always scheduling, apologizing, explaining, holding the duct tape while the whole damn thing falls apart—and the reward? Being told you're "too much."It’s exhausting. But sure—let’s all keep pretending we’re partners in this, even as one of you’s rowing and the other’s scrolling through motivational memes about “self-care” and “protecting your peace.”So welcome… if you've ever been the one holding the bag, the phone, or the relationship together while the other party treats you like Siri with better manners.Today, we speak loudly for the ones who are tired of being quiet, tired of being used, and just plain tired. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit caryharrison.substack.com/subscribe