Media & Awards

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 ReviewsAn ideal guidebook to facing the inevitable

USA TodayWhat You Can Learn From Traveling With the Grim Reaper

Library JournalThis 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 MagazineWe 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

Foreword ReviewsThe respect that Erickson evinces both for the God of her chosen tradition, and for the gods that came before, is scintillating. (Finalist for Travel Book of the Year in 2017)

Publishers WeeklyWhether describing mystical visions or the rhythms of everyday life, Erickson turns the spiritual journey into a series of exciting transformations. (starred review)

Chicago TribuneErickson is at turns irreverent and devout. She spins a fine yarn and weaves in a mighty dose of insight along the way.

Los Angeles TimesThanks to a man I never met, my soul found its way back home

USA TodayModern pilgrims: More people are traveling for spirituality

PBS-affiliated Next Avenue: Why Making a Trip to a Holy Place May Change Your Life

Iowa Public Radio’s Talk of Iowa Program