Show notes

🎙️ In This Episode of Joe Reads the News:

Special Guest: Lori A. Wilson (16:05)
Joe Christensen is joined by Lori A. Wilson, whom he introduces with a flourish as a four-time Emmy award winner and writer for the Conan O’Brien show. Lori, whose name Joe notes spells “LAW,” has transitioned from the Montessori world into the life insurance industry. During the segment, she explains the necessity of life insurance as a means to maintain a family’s livelihood rather than “playing God”. Lori also brings along her dog, Felicity (meaning “happiness”), who offers the parting advice to “climb trees to chase the possums”.

The War Room: Friday in Texas (08:16)
Broadcast live on Friday, February 20, 2026, Joe welcomes viewers to a “Friday you never knew you didn’t need”. Wearing a “festive Saturday in Texas shirt” from Tractor Supply, Joe sets a whimsical tone by referencing Ferdinand the Bull (who is pictured behind him) and the “lobster claw” as a metaphor for AI. The episode features Joe’s new segment persona, “Granny,” complete with borrowed glasses and a Monty Python-esque accent, intended to interview the “tardy” Murray Fife about “fantasy ERP environments”.

Top News Stories & “Algo Rhythm” Awards

The Algorithm Award (20:26): Goes to Jon Rivers for his post on “structured prompt research”. Joe and Lori discuss how buyers have moved from simple keywords to in-depth AI prompts when searching for ERP solutions.

The Spotlight Stealer (36:24): Anya Chichersky is highlighted for her massive comparison PDF featuring the top five EDI vendors for Dynamics 365.

Call for Speakers (47:28): Mary Myers issues a call for speakers for “Summit NA,” encouraging the community to share their passions and “stand at the front of the room”.

The ERP Definition (37:51): Joe and Lori use AI to define ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning), comparing it to a “shared digital tablet” for a restaurant that prevents chaos between the chef, waiter, and cashier.