Issue #23: Find the next emerging trend in 9 seconds

How Volv is turning social media habits into a news app

Jun 08, 2025

I started this newsletter because I was getting overwhelmed trying to read through the 15+ long-form newsletters I subscribed to every week. My issue was that I wanted to read each and every newsletter, but I either didn’t have the time each week or didn’t have the mental capacity to sit down and consume the content. So, scrolling on TikTok always felt more enjoyable after a long week. That’s why I try to keep my weekly issues on the shorter-side, with quick snippets of content to scroll through during your morning commute, cup of coffee, lunch break, etc.

It turns out, I’m not the only one who’s turning away from long-form content. Volv, is a Snapchat-backed social news app that condenses the most breaking and interesting news into 9-second reads. Users call it “TikTok for smart people,” serving an audience of founders, PMs, engineers, and others who typically avoid traditional social media.

Volv delivers content ranging from breaking news or category specific updates (such as pop culture or health and wellness) in 9-sec reads — think TikTok meets the Wall Street Journal. So, after trying out the app for myself over the past 2 weeks, this week’s issue is curated by Volv.

Download Volv

🚽 The AI-powered toilet device

Throne, the AI-powered toilet, is designed to monitor and analyze your digestive and hydration health. The device attaches to the side of your toilet bowl and uses a downward-facing camera to capture images of your waste. The image is then processed by advanced AI algorithms, trained by physicians, to provide insights into your gut health.

Fast Facts:

Co-Founders — CEO Scott Hickle & CTO Tim Blumberg
Raised $4 million in seed financing led by Moxxie Ventures
The device is currently in a pre-production working prototype form, with a planned launch date of January 2026
John Capodilupo serves as the chief product officer — Capodilupo is the co-founder and former CTO of the WHOOP smartwatch device.

🔗Also featured in Hot Smart Rich

👕 The 11-year-old styling the stars

11-year-old, Dylan, has turned his innocent childhood hobby into an emerging career - Dylan’s T Shirt Club. His hand-decorated white cotton T-shirts have been featured on the backs of many celebrities and even made their way onto the Cannes red carpet. You can find his T-shirts on his Instagram, where each one is unique. If you’re interested in getting one for yourself, get in touch to request your own through Dylan’s parents (via DM).

Fast Facts:

Dylan’s mother, Sam, is Elle Fanning’s personal stylist.
Demand is so high that he is hoping to launch an official merchandise line later this year.
Owners of his T-shirts include Brie Larson, Mark Wahlberg, Tom Morello, Pharrell Williams, Michelle Pfeiffer, John David Washington, Elle and Dakota Fanning, Josh Brolin, Nicolas Ghesquiere, Noah Centineo, and Jamie Lee Curtis.

🔗 Read more about Dylan’s T-Shirt Club

🛏️ The Wellness Chamber that costs more than your car

The Ammortal Chamber is a state-of-the-art wellness device designed to rejuvenate the body, mind, and spirit through a 30-minute session that integrates over 10 advanced, non-invasive therapies. The chamber's design is inspired by NASA's zero-gravity research, ensuring optimal comfort and accessibility for users ranging from 4'8" to 6'8" in height.

Fast Facts:

Co-Founders — CEO Brian Le Gette & Chief Revenue Officer Rob Insinger
The machine combines photobiomodulation, pulsed electromagnetic frequency, molecular hydrogen, guided meditation, and vibroacoustic therapies into a single treatment.
60% of Ammortal sales have gone to institutions; 40% belong to individuals, many of whom are professional athletes.

🔗 Read more about the Ammortal Chamber

That’s all for this Sunday, see you next week!

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