Five Powerful Life Lessons from a Seventeen-Year-Old Wise Person
What a high school senior taught me about healing a divided world
My story is about parenting, character, and hope for the future, all sparked by a lesson I received from a father and his son, a high school senior. If I do my job, you'll feel as inspired as I was when I heard it.
I had a consulting client who became a friend
It’s always a bonus when a business relationship quietly evolves into a friendship. That’s what happened with Ben. Trust grew with time, becoming more valuable than any contract or deal.
Doing business with someone is a lot like living with them. You see how they act under pressure, how they treat others, and what they believe. Trust is what holds things together.
It’s a kind of currency you can’t fake.
Character is who you are when your values are tested
Values are what we say we believe. Character is how we live them, especially when it’s hard. It's easy to talk about principles. Living with them is another story.
Ben lived by his values. He listened more than he talked. He treated people with respect. He was steady, grounded, and present. Over time, I came to admire him. He’s the kind of person you want around, someone who does the right thing even when no one’s watching.
And I learned that, like me, Ben puts family first. That says a lot about a person. That’s character you can count on.
Meet Ben’s son, Anthony
One day, while discussing my growing passion for art, Ben mentioned his son, Anthony. Anthony Padnos, known on YouTube as @AnthArt, isn’t just a talented young artist. He’s a living example of what happens when creativity meets character. And almost 100,000 souls follow this wise young man.
His art is playful, intricate, and expressive. He fills pages with dozens of small doodles that unite as a powerful whole. Anthony’s art connects, educates, and invites you to feel the playfulness of the eternal child within us.
I’ve never met Anthony beyond a virtual first bump when he comes and goes during a Zoom meeting with his father. But he struck me as a young genius who fearlessly shares his work with the world.
That doesn’t happen by accident. It happens through great parenting and a lot of unconditional love.
Anthony takes the TEDx stage in Manhattan Beach
Later, Ben told me Anthony had been invited to give a TEDx talk, not about art, but something even bigger: how to heal the growing divide in our world.
The talk was “How to Have Tough Conversations in an Age of Polarization.” I watched it right away, and I’ve watched it several times since because Anthony's message is compelling and timely.
Anthony in action at his TedX talk.
What I saw and heard lit a fire in me
Anthony stood on stage calmly and delivered a message we all needed to hear. He didn’t just talk about how to win an argument. He spoke about how to live, how to stay kind in conflict, how to listen without losing yourself, and how to speak truth with grace.
He shared five principles, lessons for life, drawn from his experience in Model United Nations, that could help us all learn to talk to each other again:
Be curious, not furious. When emotions flare, lean into curiosity. Ask questions. Listen. Try to understand, not to win.
Don’t interrupt—no bulldozing. Let others finish. Respect begins by letting people speak.
Focus on the issue, not the person. Challenge ideas, not identities. Stay centered on the problem, not the person.
Use reputable, fact-based sources. Truth still matters. Back your points with facts.
Share perspectives, even if no one changes their mind. Sometimes, being heard is enough to move the needle toward mutual respect.
These aren't just debate rules—they're life rules
This isn’t just how we argue. It’s how we live. In homes, in businesses, and most of all, in our minds. Because most of the conflicts we experience aren’t out there, they are within.
We confuse disagreement with danger. We think being wrong means we don’t belong. But Anthony reminded me—it doesn’t have to be that way.
We can learn to get along
We can end the shouting match, choose to listen, stay rooted in truth, trade dominance for understanding, and unlock something powerful: connection.
Anthony was just seventeen when he gave that talk. But he spoke with the wisdom of someone who knows who he is and what matters.
That’s rare. It’s downright inspiring.
Hope lives in moments like this
I’m an optimist. I believe in people. And Anthony’s talk gave me a jolt of hope, not just because of what he said, but because of who he is.
Grounded. Respectful. Thoughtful. Present. He’s only 17, and living proof old souls exist here in our Earthly realm.
Anthony reminded me that principles still matter, that character still counts, and that if more young people think like Anthony, the future might be brighter than we think.
Anthony reflects his parents’ values. Again, that never happens by accident. I’ve only met Ben in person, but she's an angel if his wife is anything like how he talks about her. Bravo to them both.
Parenting, after all, is a team sport.
If you’re tired of the noise, start here
If the world feels too loud and divided, do yourself a favor: watch Anthony’s TEDx talk. It’s a roadmap to sanity, clarity, and maybe even peace.
When Plato spoke of what is good, authentic, and beautiful, he pointed to timeless ideals that still matter, especially when we see them lived out by young people like Anthony.
Thanks, Anthony. Keep going. You’re already making the world better.
And best of luck at Northwestern. I just checked out your new LinkedIn profile, and all I can say is keep showing up and being yourself.
You’re remarkable. Stay humble.
I help conscious founders, thought leaders, and trusted advisors build brand equity, simplify marketing, and accelerate sales. Get your free Brand Equity Playbook™ Quick-Start Guide at www.CliffordJones.com.