The nice thing about creating this new section is we can show you our process, give you updates on changes we’re making, and whatever else is fitting for a general “Housekeeping” section.

Anyway… thanks to those that tuned into my first attempt at live streaming. It took me all of five minutes to download and set up OBS on my crappy work laptop. I’m glad it worked well enough to pass as a viable stream.

I’m looking forward to expanding into livestreaming and video content for the politics section going forward. And we’re looking at how we can do the same for our other sections.

Have a great rest of your day, and I’ll talk to y’all soon!

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Hey y’all. I just wanted to drop a quick update in here on the status of our paid Daily NQ Futures posts by Markets, Liberty, and Discipline (Drew).

We are currently reconsidering our approach, and will be temporarily halting these daily posts. This change is being made mainly to accommodate mine and Drew’s needs. These posts have added a significant amount of work load for both of us, and is currently too disruptive to our day-to-day during the week.

For now, we’ll move forward with a NQ Futures analysis post on Wednesdays, and a BTC post on Sunday or Monday. You can also expect other “research” style posts from time to time.

As always, thanks for reading!

Inside ID is our new Housekeeping section where various quality of life, content scheduling, and publication updates will be posted. Going forward, we will publish a weekly content recap post on Sunday so you don’t miss anything to the hundreds of other notifications you get throughout the week. Content published for the week will be listed by section.

An official Post Schedule will be posted in this section sometime next week, so you know what content to expect on which days.

This is still subject to change.

Inside ID

Lyrical Limelight

The Art Collective

Spiritual

Comedic Relief

Technical Analysis

Community Champions

Here at Intellectual Dissatisfaction, we believe music is the thing that brings people together.

Every December, the internet gets flooded with “year-end lists” that feel like they were assembled by a committee that doesn’t actually listen to music.

This year, I wanted to do something different: a month-long (roughly) Editor’s Choice playlist that feels closer to a curated film festival than a playlist link tossed in your feed.

So, Jeremy (hi, that’s me) and my best friend/frequent music co-conspirator RaveTopia are teaming up for a 3-act project.

Share Intellectual Dissatisfaction

The 3-Act Structure

• Act 1 – Jeremy’s Cut
  Drops in the second week of December.

  • My personal 9-track snapshot of how 2025 actually sounded in my head.

• Act 2 – RaveTopia’s Cut
  Drops in the third week of December.

  • Devin’s version of the year: same universe, completely different camera angles.

• Act 3 – The Final Cut (Jeremy x RaveTopia) Drops in the fourth week of December.

  • A joint playlist where we argue, compromise, and land on the canon: the tracks that define 2025 for both of us. This one may also pull in a few “foundation” songs from other years for context.

• Live AMAs — Talk with the editors at the end of each week on a first of its kind ID live-stream!

  • We will answer any and all questions. Ask about the playlists, our publication, why we do what we do, just shoot the shit… whatever really!

• Bonuses — Tune in to find out…

How the rollout works

Each act is 9 songs total, and roughly 30 minutes long. We’re not dumping them all at once. We’re treating each track like a proper feature, with notes and context.

For every act, we’ll release:

• 3 songs per day

• Over 3 days that week

• Host a live AMA with the editors to wrap up the week

So each week looks like:

Day 1 / Monday – Songs 1–3

Day 2 / Wednesday – Songs 4–6

Day 3 / Friday – Songs 7–9

Day 4 / Saturday Live AMA

Each drop will hit your inbox as a short, focused post: why this track made the cut, where it fits in the act’s narrative, and how it connects to the year.

What’s free vs paid

I want this to be something anyone can follow along with, but also give paid subscribers something genuinely special.

• Act 1 (Jeremy’s Cut): free

• Act 2 (RaveTopia’s Cut): free

• Act 3 (The Final Cut): paid

The final act — our combined playlist + deeper commentary — will live behind the paywall. Paid subscribers will get:

• The full Act 3 track-list

• Access to the final unlisted playlist links sent to you personally by the editors

• Extra notes on what we cut, where we disagreed, and how we landed the final order

• Access to the final live AMA with both Editors

Note: If you become a paid subscriber, you’d be directly contributing to funding the purchase of a new camera for our Sioux Falls journalism team. There will be an alternative way to contribute coming soon…

How to plug in

If you want to ride along in real time:

• Subscribe for free so the drops actually show up in your inbox when Acts 1 and 2 go live.

  Subscribe now

• If you already know you’ll want the full story (and want to support the work behind Intellectual Dissatisfaction), consider becoming a paid subscriber ahead of Act 3.

  Become a paid subscriber

• And if you have friends who obsess over music the way we do, share this post or invite them to subscribe so they can follow the series from the beginning.

  Refer a friend

December is going to be a little loud over here — in a good way.

And if you guys enjoy this, we will consider doing it on a more regular basis for paid subscribers.

December Playlist Schedule

Act 1 — Jeremy’s Cut

Mon. December 8th: Act 1 - Part 1

Wed. December 10th: Act 1 - Part 2

Fri. December 12th: Act 1 - Part 3

Sat. December 13th: Live AMA (free)

Act 2 — RaveTopia’s Cut

Mon. December 15th: Act 2 - Part 1

Wed. December 17th: Act 2 - Part 2

Fri. December 19th: Act 2 - Part 3

Sat. December 20th: Live AMA (free)

Act 3 — The Final Cut

Mon. December 22nd: Act 3 - Part 1

Wed. December 24th: Act 3 - Part 2

Fri. December 26th: Act 3 - Part 3

Sat. December 27th: Live AMA (paid)

is the Owner of Intellectual Dissatisfaction, a publication he founded nearly three years ago. His roles include Editor in Chief and lead writer for the News, Politics, and Opinion section, covering news and politics on the Sioux Falls, South Dakota area.

He also runs the Comedic Relief section which features a weekly collection of political and non-political memes that publishes every Friday. He sometimes guest writes in various other sections, such as Lyrical Limelight and The Art Collective.

Jeremy was born and raised in Connecticut. He moved to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in 2013, a year after graduating from Bristol Central High School, with his now wife, Ali. He’s also a father to two young children — a five year old daughter and two year old son.

His formal work experience includes a thirteen year career as a Telecom Technician. He holds an international BICSI certification, is a member of the IBEW 426 local, and has run work as a foreman on countless jobsites, including Amazon Distribution Centers, ADP Data Centers, and more.

Email: intellectualdissatisfaction@gmail.com

Facebook: Jeremy Todd Mercier

X: @jermsgotrhythm

See some of his work:

Devin Hoffie

Devin Hoffie () is the Entertainment Coordinating Director and Lead Entertainment Writer at Intellectual Dissatisfaction, where he explores the ever-blurring boundaries between music, media, and meaning. He runs multiple sections, including Lyrical Limelight, Ramblin’ Man, Flick Frenzy, and contributes to News, Politics, and Opinion.

His love of journalism began in high school, where he served as yearbook editor and won photography contests that sharpened his eye for stories hidden in plain sight. His work now dives into the creative pulse of culture—examining how sound, image, and narrative shape the modern mythos.

Before turning to journalism post high school, Devin studied Physics and Philosophy at the Rochester Institute of Technology and Veterinary Technology at North Dakota State University, blending scientific curiosity with human insight. Based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, he writes with a focus on authenticity, creative integrity, and the hidden architecture of the entertainment world.

Email: intellectualdissatisfaction@gmail.com

YouTube: RavetopiaSD

Spotify:

See some of his work:

Kela Geyer

is a contributor to The Art Collective and Lyrical Limelight sections.

Hi, my name is Kela Geyer. I grew up in a small town in Iowa, until moving to South Dakota at the age of sixteen. I graduated from Canton High School and then did some traveling. After a few months, decided to go to college. Went to The University of South Dakota for Human resources. I am a mother of two boys — eleven and twelve years old. I am married to a wonderful man, Paul Geyer. In my free time, I love to sew and paint. I am also big into EDM music, which means I love attending music festivals and local shows, or really any type of live music.

See some of her work:

Hope Hoffie

Hoffie is a writer and community advocate with Intellectual Dissatisfaction, where she brings heart and humanity to stories that connect people through art, wellness, and shared purpose. She runs the Community Champions section, and guest writes for News, Politics, and Opinion, Lyrical Limelight, and Ramblin’ Man.

Guided by a deep belief that healing extends beyond the walls of Western medicine, she studies herbalism and holistic health as pathways to help others live more balanced, grounded lives.

Beyond her work in wellness, Hope has a lifelong passion for music and the creative community surrounding it. She contributes to music features, events, and initiatives that celebrate local artists and community champions — always emphasizing the power of people coming together to lift one another up.

See some of her work:

Alyce Nall

is the dynamic CEO of Beyond Media Entertainment (BME), a Booking and Band Management company based in Des Moines, IA. For the past four years, Alyce has been a cornerstone of the local music scene, dedicated to managing and booking mostly Des Moines based talent. She contributes to the Lyrical Limelight section.

​Her creative vision extends beyond management through her partnerships with Igor Dimitrienko in two other ventures:

​Ain’t Life Grand Photography — Focused on Premier Concert Photography for the publication, Intellectual Dissatisfaction, where her beat is exclusively live music.

​Darker Light Productions — A graphic design company.

Alyce’s authority in the live music world is underscored by her notable work. She has published reviews for major shows, including the Cage the Elephant concert at Vibrant Music Hall, and provided in-depth coverage of Des Moines local talent, such as Encore Legends’ show at Riverside Casino.

​Email: bmellcalyce@gmail.com

​Socials:

BeyondMediaEntertainmentLLC

ain’tlifegrandphotos

darkerlightproductions

See some of her work:

Igor Dimitrienko

Meet a true creative powerhouse whose work effortlessly spans the stage, the screen, and across the media.

Hello, my name is , and I am a seasoned photographer, videographer, and graphic designer. I’m also a contributor to the Lyrical Limelight section. My background in visual arts is complemented by extensive experience behind the lens, crafting stunning imagery and producing video content that brings stories and brands to life. I understand the energy and production required to command an audience.

Beyond the visual studio, I lead a parallel life as a performing musician; guitarist, singer, songwriter and even a film actor. This unique blend fuels my passion for concert photography, whether I am on stage performing, or whether I’m the one behind the lens. Few people understand the rhythm and chaos of the road like a touring artist, and my personal experiences inform my ability to capture the raw energy and intimate moments both on and off stage.

As an author and contributor for Intellectual Dissatisfaction, I offer a creative, insider perspective as a rare professional who lives both on stage and behind the lens.

See some of his work:

Ben Glanzer

Glanzer is a music and theatre reviewer for Intellectual Dissatisfaction, covering the vibrant live arts scene across the Midwest — including concerts, plays, musicals, and comedy performances. He now runs ID’s new Spiritual section where he writes a weekly post called Faith in Focus, in which he discusses what God taught him that week. He also contributes to the Lyrical Limelight section.

With a sharp eye for storytelling and an ear tuned to performance, Ben brings humor and authenticity to every review. Based across the Midwest region (MN, SD, ND, IA, NE), he occasionally dives into film and television when the mood strikes.

For inquiries, contact: theloyalfiend@gmail.com

See some of his work:

Sarah Mercier

, creating artwork with her own personal flare, is an anime and manga illustrator, abstract artist, and contributor to Intellectual dissatisfaction. Her work is featured in The Art Collective section.

Sarah was born in Bristol, Connecticut, and is Jeremy Mercier’s sister. She tried jumping around from various states trying to find new and exciting things to bring inspiration for creative works. But always found herself back home where she was born. She has been working as a dental lab technician for about 5 years. Learning to fabricate crowns, bridges, veneers and now dentures.

Email: sarahannmercier1996@gmail.com

Instagram: @sarah.a.mercier

Threads: @sarah.a.mercier

TikTok: @sarah.a.mercier

See some of her work:

Andrew Jodice

Andrew Jodice () is a markets analyst at Intellectual Dissatisfaction, focused on futures and crypto with executable trade plans. He runs the Technical Analysis section.

Born in South Carolina, raised in Connecticut, and educated in Vermont, he coached slopestyle and half-pipe skiing in Colorado and Utah for Olympic hopefuls. After four major surgeries from ski accidents, he returned to Connecticut, earned an associate’s degree in 3D modeling for building construction, and worked 3 to 4 years in MEP engineering before turning to markets.

He began trading during COVID, discarded untested tactics, and rebuilt on primary sources. Market Wizards is a constant companion on audiobook. His framework blends Wyckoff’s accumulation-distribution read, Dow Theory’s Industrials-Transports confirmation, and Al Brooks’ bar-by-bar price-action rules for execution. He traded part-time for four years and now trades full-time, prioritizing risk management, statistics, and psychology. Based in Connecticut, he builds decision trees and playbooks to reduce guesswork and keep bias adjustable to cross-asset signals.

Find Andrew Jodice of Markets, Liberty, and Discipline at

LinkedIn:

Andrew Jodice

Markets, Liberty, & Discipline

Facebook:

Andrew Jodice

Markets, Liberty, & Discipline

See some of his work:

Travis Salguero

is an artist and poet Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Travis has been writing since the age of fifteen and painting since the ample age of seventeen. He has recently authored his first book through Black Horse Publishing under the alias TS Chinchilla, which is available to purchase soon.

He is a contributor for the Intellectual Dissatisfaction under The Art Collective section. He has currently been working on his second book, “Interlude of Depression” while creating abstract acrylic paintings. His use of visceral descriptions and free form poetry gives a hint of realism behind the same guise of traditional modern poetry. A sixth anniversary of alcoholic sobriety helps him drive more passion into his work with relevant and eye opening experiences that help give hope and support towards people struggling with their own sobriety and mental well-being.

See some of his work:

Derik Everett

My name is . I am a media creator at Rok Productions Media, a writer, and the Author of Harmony Minded. I enjoy attending Rock concerts, EDM performances and Live Performances. He will be contributing to the Lyrical Limelight section.

I once earned a Bachelor’s of science in Digital Arts and Design as well as a minor in English. I’m currently based in Los Angeles and I travel.

One major ongoing project I have is Harmony Minded Life, where I create motivational videos to help people with their inner wellness.

You can contact me at:

Derik@harmony-minded.com

Derikeverett@gmail.com

Check out my website at harmony-minded.com, and harmonyminded.life to learn more about my passion.

Instgram:

@DerikTigerthy

@HarmonyMinded

Digital portfolio:

RokProductionsMedia.com

Abby Vrondran

is a music-obsessed storyteller who lives for loud guitars, honest lyrics, and the kind of live shows that rearrange your soul. She contributes to the Lyrical Limelight section. Raised on a steady diet of My Chemical Romance and Queen, with modern inspiration from Prof, Big Holiday, and Ed Sheeran, she blends theatrical emotion, clever wordplay, and heart-on-sleeve sincerity in everything she writes.

Years ago, Abby found herself at a 3 Doors Down concert at the Sioux Falls fairgrounds, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with an editor, a spiritual writer, and a press coordinator — just another fan swallowed up in the crowd. She had no idea that night would become a turning point. That single show nudged her toward the world of music journalism and eventually led to her first published article: covering My Chemical Romance in Washington.

See some of her work:

Caleb Hauser

is a contributor to the Lyrical Limelight section.

From the ripe young age of not even being born yet, I found myself at music festivals. Heck, I was almost born at one back in ‘96. That same year my parents started a non-profit ministry that allowed my travel to 45 states going to different music art events averaging three per month. Living as a homeschool kid, fully immersed in the art world such as I was, I quickly found a knack for anything art. Whether it be sketching, painting, writing, computer design, I was into it. When I turned fifteen I saved up and got my first professional camera. From then, and for the next 10 years, I was doing photography professionally. Covering music events, documenting local scenery, artistic and portraits. Photography and editing became my passion.

When I turned 18 I started touring with a band doing sound and light production adding three more states to my list of now 47 that I’ve been to. After that I spent some time either homeless, unhoused, or living in a converted shuttle bus all the while Taking pictures of anything that appeased my vision of art. Still utilizing my camera as a hobby, I also picked up writing again and started writing articles to go with my photography. Now as a husband and a father of three I’m constantly utilizing my camera and still any other medium to try and create something that might convey how I see the little blue dot and what makes it special.

See some of his work: