Lori has been a frequent guest on NPR’s Travel with Rick Steves:
Two-part interview on The Soul of the Family Tree: Nordic Roots (interview starts at 1:19) and The Soul of the Family Tree (interview starts at 13:25)
Holy Rover (interview starts at 31:52)
Near the Exit (interview starts at 31:45)
She also spoke with Rick about the sites on the Ancient Ohio Trail (interview starts at 1:54) and Tibetan Prayer Flags (interview starts at 43:34).
Selected Media & Awards
The Soul of the Family Tree
Publishers Weekly: “Erickson details how researching her Norwegian American heritage led to deep personal reflection. . . With a light hand, Erickson invites readers to follow her lead and take some liberties in the search for one’s ‘spiritual DNA.’ … Readers may find themselves ordering their own DNA testing kit upon finishing this.”
Foreword Reviews: “With her trademark combination of memoir and pilgrimage tale, Erickson alternates between writing a historical study and recording experiential learning. . . The Soul of the Family Tree posits that a spiritual grounding in one’s family history can combat ‘historical amnesia’ and nurture a sense of belonging.”
Cedar Rapids Gazette: “In this radiant new book, [Erickson] brings a light heart, an old soul and a deep understanding to her subject of how tracing our genealogy can deepen our spiritual lives.”
Little Village: “”Erickson welcomes us aboard a literary longboat, dragon heads fore and aft, and sets sail on a genealogical and spiritual pilgrimage to explore all things Nordic, past and present. . . [The Soul of the Family Tree] is carefully researched and informative, concisely expressed, lighthearted in tone and woven together with humor like fine, handmade Scandinavian linen.”
Interview on the Frommer’s Travel Show: Lori Erickson on genealogical travel
Interview on Iowa Public Radio’s Talk of Iowa: What genealogy and a ‘boring hobby’ can teach us about ourselves
Near the Exit
Silver Award for Religion Book of 2019 in the INDIES Awards from Foreword Reviews
Foreword Reviews: An ideal guidebook to facing the inevitable
USA Today: What You Can Learn From Traveling With the Grim Reaper
Library Journal: This book’s journey to spiritual places near and far is worth taking. (starred review)
Foreword Reviews Author Interview with Lori Erickson: Death-phobia Defier
Cover Story and Excerpt in the Christian Century Magazine: We need to talk about death
Holy Rover
Named by the Associated Press as one of the top travel books for the 2017 holiday gift season
First place in the Spiritual/Religious category in the 2018 Hollywood Book Festival
Finalist for the INDIES Travel Book of the Year in 2017
Publishers Weekly: Whether describing mystical visions or the rhythms of everyday life, Erickson turns the spiritual journey into a series of exciting transformations. (starred review)
Chicago Tribune: Erickson is at turns irreverent and devout. She spins a fine yarn and weaves in a mighty dose of insight along the way.
Los Angeles Times: Thanks to a man I never met, my soul found its way back home
USA Today: Modern pilgrims: More people are traveling for spirituality
PBS-affiliated Next Avenue: Why Making a Trip to a Holy Place May Change Your Life