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We have a lot of mic drop moments….

We say something powerful and pivotal.

Important.
Impactful.
Intelligent.

But mic drops are for exiting stage left, not entrances.

That’s something we’ve yet to master.

Let’s do something different.

Let’s inject a healthy dose of curiosity first.

Here’s a question:

Which of these are you more likely to keep thinking about?

A: “Men with diabetes are 3x more likely to experience erectile dysfunction.”
B: “What if the first sign of diabetes… was in the bedroom?”

Both speak to the same truth.
Only one makes your brain need to know more.

Only one creates a mental gap, an itch to scratch.
Only one makes you feel like there's more to discover.

That’s the power of curiosity(used ethically)

Because here’s the thing: curiosity is a brain vulnerability.
And like any powerful tool, it can be used or misused.

I mean… that’s literally what clickbait is.

Considering there’s an actual term for it, it shows how common the problem has become.

You and I have both clicked those articles because our curiosity got the best of us.

And ain’t it annoying where you get served straight sizzle, and no steak?

Rude, really.

Clickbait exploits it with empty promises:
“You’ll never believe what happened next…” (you would, and it’s anticlimactic and disappointing af.)

Good storytelling honors curiosity with a promise and a payoff.
It sparks a question and delivers the answer.

As Productive Disruptors, we’ve got plenty of steak.
We just need to season it with the right questions.

🧲 Brain Bait: 3 Ethical Techniques to Spark Curiosity

Want to make your stories and messages more magnetic?
Use one of these tried-and-true curiosity strategies:

1. The Open Loop(in my opinion, one of the easiest to deploy)
   Leave the story just unfinished enough that the brain needs to close it.
   → “The strangest thing happened at a health fair I volunteered at(and it completely changed how I teach prevention).”

If I did my job right, you'd want to know what that thing is… Sadly, tis’ fictitious and strictly for example purposes.

2. The Personal Puzzle
   Pose a reflective question that gently invites your audience to scan their own experience.
   → “What’s one thing about your health you’ve been avoiding(if anything)?”

3. The Contrast Gap
   Highlight a tension that doesn’t add up.
   → “Why are Black women more likely to be dismissed(and more likely to die) during childbirth?”

These techniques help audiences feel connected before they’re expected to care.

🛠️ The PHacilitator’s Corner:

This week, try one of these Brain Bait techniques on a topic you care deeply about:

• Write a post that leaves an open loop.

• Start a talk with a personal puzzle.

• Craft a headline using a contrast gap.

Or, just journal something. The main point is to create something(even if you don’t share it anywhere).

👉🏾 Which brain bait feels most natural to you?
Pick just one and try it.
Feel free to try more(think of it as extra credit)
Then pay attention to how people respond.

Because when curiosity is sparked ethically, it’s a major asset in gaining attention.

Just remember to also deliver.

Later Gator

Oh, quick announcement. I’m hosting the State of Black Health Conference in September!

How’d I do?

😍 Loved it!
👍 Good, was hoping for a bit more
👎Yikes! Are you open to receiving feedback at this time?