Angie Erickson 

They're already changing the world, right? Whether or not we as older people recognize, youth are already beginning to create that next generation and that next culture and that next worldview. And so, I think that's what gives me a lot of hope, right? The youth have always been the ones who have changed where we're at. And I really believe they're going to continue to do so.

Paul Meunier 

Hello, I'm Paul Meunier, the executive director of the Youth Intervention Programs Association. And I'm a youth worker at heart. How lucky am I, I have the privilege to meet youth workers from around the globe and learn their stories and share them with the entire world. I'm glad you're listening because together we'll learn how their life experiences shape their youth work. As you listen, I encourage you to consider how your experiences shape what you have to offer young people. Welcome to this edition of The Passionate Youth Worker. Hi, everybody. For this episode, we're joined by Angie Erickson, from Minnesota in the United States. She is the Director of Outreach and Communication for North Homes Children and Family Services. She's also an active community member serving as the board chair for her local YMCA. And she's a commissioner for her city's Human Rights Commission. As you listen, you'll find her to be accomplished yet humble. Angie, thanks for being a guest on the show.

Angie Erickson 

Thanks so much for having me. I'm excited to be here.

Paul Meunier 

I share your excitement. You seem to get involved in so many things that are about the well-being of people in your community. Angie, why is it so important to you that working to help others is a part of who you are?

Angie Erickson 

I think I was privileged and lucky enough to have a lot of people in my life, who sort of filled that role. So, both a very large and extended family network as well as other adult role models who really were there to support and care and give the kind of guidance and structure that I feel like really helped set me on the path to where I am today.

Paul Meunier 

Well, whatever they did, they did a nice job because they instilled wonderful traits and values in you. Who are some of those people in your family that were really instrumental in helping you become the person you are today.

Angie Erickson 

Yeah, so many. I think a couple of folks who come to mind right away are just my grandmas. Both my mom's mom and my dad's mom, in particular, just really showed that one, you can always still learn. So, they were just women who were always still open to learning. And that you can still create and enact change over the course of your life though that might look really different as you get to kind of different stages where you're at.

Paul Meunier 

Yeah, sounds like your grandmas were really important. And I know one of your grandmas is kind of like a hero to you, right? I mean you really had a strong bond with them both. But there's one that a little bit more in particular. Can you talk about her a little bit?

Angie Erickson 

Yeah, my grandma Jean was just a really strong, stubborn, wonderful woman. And one of the stories that really stands out to me was just sort of having this moment with my family and my grandma sort of made this comment where, you know, I had a little bit of reaction and kind of called her out on it. You know, maybe that wasn't the most appropriate thing to say. And sort of the reaction of everyone else was like, You're just being overly sensitive, like, you know, get over it. You know, I think our perception often is, you know, especially quote unquote, old people, right, a very ageist way to look at it is, well, they're just stuck in their ways and they're not going to change anything. You know, I kind of left that interaction and a couple of days later I had a letter in the mail from her where she really thanked me for that opportunity to learn and to grow and to be able to continue to still do better. And that was just such a powerful moment for me as an individual too that it's important that we own up, that we aren't always going to say and do the right thing. And hopefully we have surrounded ourselves with people that are willing to call us out on that so that way we can do better next time.

Paul Meunier 

Wow, that was really big of her to do that, right? And to send you that letter. And it's funny that you still talk about and think about it today. That's how impactful it was.

Angie Erickson 

Yeah.

Paul Meunier 

How about your parents, your mom and dad, were they pretty instrumental in who you are today?

Angie Erickson 

Absolutely. They're both very different and very interesting and funny individuals. I really love both my mom and dad. I also have kind of multiple parents. So, shouting out to my bonus parents as well that I get to have which is really wonderful. And you know, I think something that really stands out to me too about my parents is every family's journey looks different, every parenting journey likely looks a little bit different. And both my parents struggled at different times with drug and alcohol use. And kind of how that ended up impacting and shaping my life really, ultimately, has been positive. I think about the people that are now in my life because of that, you know, are really some people who are mentors to me and again, really helped set me on the path to where I'm at today. It gave me the opportunity to be engaged in knowing people within the SUD community and knowing how diverse that group is. And there's a lot of reasons why people might be seeking those things out, you know, whether to escape from things or to get through something. And it feels like that's just added to my understanding and empathy around those experiences. So, I feel like that's been a really powerful thing. I also feel like all of my parents are some of my biggest cheerleaders. So, you know, if there's ever anything that I've been interested in pursuing or doing, they're just like, like, do it like, why wouldn't you do it?

Paul Meunier 

It's funny how sometimes those things work out. So, you said like, it was some struggles but at the end of the day, it all turned out really good because you have these bonus people in your life. And you have instead of two cheerleaders, it sounds like I think you have seven cheerleaders. And that's great that you have that support. So, obviously, your parents must have divorced at some point I'm thinking. So, when did they divorce and how old were you when that happened?

Angie Erickson 

Yeah, I was really young, like one or two, that they separated. And actually, my bonus mom and my dad were together for a very long time. So, she was the other mom figure in my life from a very young age too.

Paul Meunier 

And did you live with your mom or your dad? Like through your developmental years? So, who were you with?

Angie Erickson 

I lived with my dad, which I know is, you know, maybe less unusual now. But I think especially late 80s, early 90s, like that was a pretty unusual thing to happen. And so, I really have a very close relationship with my dad, I think because of that, because he really was kind of our primary caretaker. So, too that informs and kind of influences the way that I may be, right, like all of our experiences do. Like see or notice other people's relationships or interactions with their parents. Is that Yes, my mom is Oh, my God, a caretaker right like this absolutely. And there is part of me that often kind of thinks is my dad like first is like the nurturing, loving one in a way that I think is maybe a little bit different.

Paul Meunier 

Yeah, if you don't mind me asking because it is unusual. I don't know what the percentage is but I would say it's a really high in the 90s percent or something like that where if there's a divorce, the children generally live with the mother. How come the decision was made that you would live with your dad? I mean, if you care to talk about that, was there something about your mom's situation or?

Angie Erickson 

Yeah, at that time, my mom was using. And I think that she just wasn't in a really good positive place to help us and support us and take care of us. And she really needed that opportunity to get some additional healing and support before being able to have us in that way and have us full time. And so yeah, that's how we were with my dad.

Paul Meunier 

Got it. Did you still get to see your mom during those years or just you just didn't live with her?

Angie Erickson 

Yeah, we just didn't live with her. And so yeah, soccer. I feel like I know other other folks who maybe have like, you know, extended families or divorced families, or it's like, you know, that every other weekend, summers were with mom. And we really didn't have an opportunity to have much more than that. Just before kindergarten, we moved kind of the metro area to rural northern Minnesota with my dad. You know, my mom was still in the metro area where her support system was and all of her connections were. And so, it really did have to be on like those weekends and those longer trips or over winter break, things like that.

Paul Meunier 

Well, it seems like your parents, for whatever reason, no matter how it worked out, it seems like they did the right things because you are such a grounded person and so focused on the well-being of others around you. Clearly you were nurtured properly and have a strong sense of purpose and a sense of self. So, what was school like for you? Were you outgoing in school, were you more introverted? Did you get good grades? What was your school years like?

Angie Erickson 

Yeah, I think most people would say I'm definitely extroverted, and was the person who felt like I was friends with everyone or most people in my class. My best friend who’s still my best friend now, but we became best friends in third grade. Her joke is like, she didn't really identify me as a best friend until like, sixth grade.

Paul Meunier 

Thanks a lot, yeah?

Angie Erickson 

Because I just kind of like inserted myself in her life, was just like, you're so fun, like, you're really interesting, let's talk. And she's still very much kind of a reserved and quiet person. So, I would say yes, I kind of like to talk to people, like to be engaged with people. I'm definitely academically driven. I got, you know, good grades through school but I also really loved learning. So, I mean, I, I loved reading. One thing that my parents did that I am so appreciative of now is that we, when we would get home, of course, if we had homework we'd have to do that. But we had to read for 20 minutes before we could, like watch TV or, you know, go do other stuff. And I would often though be the kid who was like, you know, I would read, you know, at the dinner table, like through dinner, you know, way into the night when I should have probably been sleeping. So, I've just always loved books and loved learning.

Paul Meunier 

That's great. And you went on to get a master's degree so obviously school for you was driven like you said. When you were younger, what did you read? What did you like novels? Did you like science fiction? What were you into?

Angie Erickson 

Like a little bit of everything. I think of myself, like really young, like early elementary school. I loved RL Stine books, right? You know, the Goosebumps. There was a series called Redwall that I remember being really into, which was kind of like fantasy with little animals.

Paul Meunier 

Did you read Junie B. Jones books?

Angie Erickson 

Yeah, yeah.

Paul Meunier 

Oh, they were so great.

Angie Erickson 

Yeah. Any, you know, I think as I got older, kind of like in where I feel like I am now, I really read a mix of fiction novels. I love sci fi. And I also love reading nonfiction. So, like people's stories or things about, you know, learning about like new things that maybe I don't know much about. So, I'd say that that's kind of been a long-time trend where I'll go in between, like, I've read a couple of fiction books I need to have now something that's nonfiction. Or vice versa.

Paul Meunier 

Change things up a little bit? Yeah, yeah. Well, reading is such a wonderful exercise for the mind. And it's something that we should all be doing 20 minutes a day, at the very least. I think I know when I read more, I seem to be so much more mentally acute to things around me. I just feel like it's like when I go to the gym and lift or run or whatever, it helps me physically. And just as reading does that for me. So, I bet that played a big part in who you are. And so you got a master's degree, eventually, at the end of your academic career, and it's in healthcare management. Are you doing the kind of work you hoped you do with that? I'm just curious, or did you divert and go down someplace else that you ended up in your role now?

Angie Erickson 

I feel like a little bit of both. So, the coolest thing about youth work, right, is that those skills literally apply to any position. So, anyone who has been in youth work in some capacity, or if they're still in youth work, you know, the skills that it takes to be able to engage with all of these diverse youth. The skills of having to figure out how to work with partners, right. You know, if you're, you know, a Beacons partner, or if you're a program that you're going into a school, right, you have to learn how to navigate all of those relationships. So, I feel like that just translates so well to anything that somebody might do. And in my role now, I do a lot more kind of like administrative support. So, overseeing marketing, really trying to help tell like, what are our client's stories, what are our families' stories and why does that matter? And how are we really impacting because we are doing really great work. And our staff are doing really hard work with these incredible youth and families. And definitely the master's degree in business administration and healthcare management. We're a mental health nonprofit, we operate like a health care business. And so, a lot of kind of the skills and the coursework that I did I feel like it translated directly into the job that I have now. And a little bit also still supports the work that when I am with youth, I do still get to be one of our high ropes course facilitators out at our facility. So, I do still get to have some touch points with youth, you know, in particular in that setting, and it really supports all of those pieces.

Paul Meunier 

That's great that you are doing what you love and what you hoped to set out to do. Angie, we're going to take a short break but we'll be right back after this message.

Jade Schleif 

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Paul Meunier 

Angie, right before the break you kind of concluded talking about your education in your earlier years and things like that. Thank you for sharing your story and letting our listeners understand you as a person. It's funny, I was thinking about now, my life now. And when I think about the kid who was always reading and sitting at the table or sitting at the lunch table in school reading, I think at the time when I was a kid, I would have said why are you doing that? Why don't you like get outside? Now I'm just totally envious of people like you. I wish I'd have been reading more when I was a kid. It's funny how life changes.

Angie Erickson 

Yeah!

Paul Meunier 

I'm wondering, what kind of compliments do you really like to receive? Like, what if I was to say something really nice to you, Angie, what would be the biggest compliment I could give you?

Angie Erickson 

Oh, gosh, I feel like I'm skirting the question. I'll come back to it. But I feel like some of the best compliments I've received have been when the compliment is maybe directed actually at somebody else in the sense that, you know, I've maybe worked with somebody or I've mentored or supported somebody, and somebody else notices that in them. So, like to see their growth and their strength. That's really affirming to me because, right, it's like, here's the validation that what we do works and what we do matters. So, like that's the first thing that comes to mind. But I think maybe, you know, one, that's if it's directed at me personally, you know, a compliment that I really may be attached to is intelligence. You know, I feel like I've worked hard to get to where I'm at, I don't always make smart choices, right? Like, I maybe don't always say the smartest thing, I might trip over words. But that does mean something to me. And I think too, when people notice how much I do care, right? Sometimes we do things, show how we care, show how we love. And it's not always noticed by other people. Right? And that's not the reason why we do them. We do them because we actually do love and care. But when people notice and validate and acknowledge that, to me, that also feels very good and very affirming

Paul Meunier 

Your answer, If I was a betting person, I would have said you would have answered that the way you did. I described you as accomplished yet humble. And so, your first thought was I take so much satisfaction when somebody else does something really well. And that's the epitome of I think what a good youth worker is or somebody who cares about other human beings is we have so much satisfaction out of seeing other people succeed. But yet, then here you are with this advanced degree and your intelligence, obviously a very smart person, and there's so much humility that goes along with intelligence, I think. And I really admire that in you. What character traits do you respect or admire most in other people, Angie?

Angie Erickson 

I mean, I think you know, driven, and hardworking. But I mean, I struggle using the word hardworking, right? There's also kind of that myth of like, if we're not getting to a certain place, it's because people aren't working hard enough. And I don't believe that. But I do believe in like, hardworking in the sense that we're always trying to do the best that we can with what we have at that time. So, that's something that I really admire in other people. Something that I really admire in other people because maybe I don't always do this myself is folks who are really individual in the sense that they can really name and see like, these are the things that I need for myself in a really confident and you know, not selfish but No, I'm gonna take care of me first. And that's not always a thought that I have. And so I really admire that in other people where it's like yeah, like, get it, like go for it. Yeah. or in the sense like, stay home, take care of yourself or whatever, whatever that might look like, that's a really just awesome trait for somebody to have.

Paul Meunier 

Yeah, when you're empathetic like you are and compassionate like you are, sometimes we forget that we need to focus on ourselves. And sometimes if we're a little bit more selfish it would probably do us a little good. So, I'm going to serve you up a softball, the perfect thing that youth workers love to do, who is somebody you work with that you really admire that has those characteristics or those traits? And there might be more than one, but I'm just asking you to pick one and give an example of why you think you admire that person or respect that person so much.

Angie Erickson 

Oh, my gosh, just one, this is so hard. One person who comes to mind who I worked with at the YWCA in Minneapolis was Jasmine Becker. She is just one of the most incredible people you would ever meet in your life. Driven, I mean, she has an MBA, she's done a lot of other just incredible work in her life. She's so incredibly caring and empathetic, and really had this has this incredible ability to kind of see beyond in the sense that she's so curious, so inquisitive. And there's something about the way that she thinks about things is that she can almost, like see a step ahead. Where I would maybe sometimes kind of be like, Well, no, aren't we right here? And she'd be like, No, we want to be over here. And it was just so that was just such a powerful thing to me. And I think about kind of one of the things that she showed me too, you know, kind of going back to that, that I can't think of a better word than individualism, or really self-care, right, I guess that might be a better a better term. She was really good about that, had sort of started to go down a path and realized that, you know, in particular was she was about to pursue an advanced degree and kind of got started and was like, something isn't feeling right about this right now for me. And took a step back. And I just so admired that because I think in my brain, you know, if I had started something, you know, even if maybe it didn't feel right, especially if I'm thinking about school, I don't know that I would have had the courage or had the insight to be able to do that. There's so many other wonderful things about her but trying to connect them back to those. She's just such an incredible human.

Paul Meunier 

Yeah, it's interesting how you described her in relationship to you. And she does sound like an incredible person. And clearly, I want to get you off the hook. I'm sure you could have named a lot of people in your immediate circle. So, I got your off the hook for saying, like I said, only one do you didn't have to lay out a whole bunch of people.

Angie Erickson 

I can send you a list later.

Paul Meunier 

Yeah and you'll type it out I'm sure and with bullet points or something to make it look really nice!  Are you a pretty self-reflective person, by nature?

Angie Erickson 

I don't think by nature, I think it's something that I do try to practice. You know, actually going back to being in that MBA program, a lot of the coursework was really centered and structured around reflecting on who we were, where we were at what were our skills. And as we were learning new things, you know, what did that mean and how were we going to maybe change the way that we did things. And so, I feel like that was another good kind of like, refresher and reset of remembering, right? I feel like we get so kind of ingrained in our jobs and roles. And if we have families or other commitments that we might have, we can sometimes forget to take that step back and kind of really think about, Am I doing what I want to be doing? Am I where I want to be? Am I the kind of person that I want to be? So, I think it's something that I have to consciously think about.

Paul Meunier 

That's interesting. I think you're right, we do get so busy. And so, caught up in the moment that we never have that reflection point that just says how are things going, where are things at, how did today even today go or the last hour go? We tend to forget to do that. And you say you actively work that. Angie, like what do you do to actively be self-reflective? Can you give an example that maybe other people could pick up on that what do you do?

Angie Erickson 

Yeah, I feel like this sounds very nerdy but I've definitely scheduled time in my work calendar for reflection. So, you know, 30 minutes on a Friday, towards the end of the day, you know, how did my week go? What did I do? Does this feel like a good place? Right? And I feel like I kind of naturally incorporate both like professional and personal thoughts. And so, you know, I feel like that's been something that helps me try to remember Am I doing the things that I've set out to do and that I want to do and that I strive to do. And if not, what do I maybe need to change?

Paul Meunier 

That's interesting to actually put it on your calendar. That is very accomplished, Angie. And you're very organized, very structured, are very diligent of you. And do you just sit in quiet and not look at your computer because it's tempting to do that email or do you go for a walk? What do you do in that 30 minutes when you have time for that?

Angie Erickson 

I feel like I've done some different things. So, it might be, you know, even just turn away from the computer and maybe just writing out, trying to free right, you know, what are some thoughts? What am I noticing? It might be just, you know, kind of sitting in the moment trying to think about where I'm at. I love going for walks, I should do a better job, especially because my office we're by like a beautiful river and there's a nice little walkway, and the Y is actually across the street and they have a really nice walkway. I should be taking advantage of those things more. But yeah, just kind of trying to find a way to be in the present, not get distracted by, you know, the technologies. Just be able to think for a minute.

Paul Meunier 

Yeah, good strategy, really good strategy. Just quick question, are you an optimist, do you think?

Angie Erickson 

Yes, I think sometimes by almost to a fault that I tend to maybe have an overly hopeful and optimistic attitude about most things in life.

Paul Meunier 

Got it. I could see that. And we're living in such tough times, it seems like in our communities and our just our society, in general, or even globally, we seem to be at each other's throat. And our young people seem to be under so much stress from all that craziness that's going around, or even climate change and safety in schools, all those things are just so much stress on our young people. So, putting on your optimistic cap, what gives you hope about young people today?

Angie Erickson 

They're already changing the world, right? That youth are driving that whether or not we as older people recognize, youth are already beginning to create that next generation and that next culture and that next worldview. And so, I think that's what gives me a lot of hope. The youth have always changed, right? The youth have always been the ones who've changed where we're at. And I really believe they're going to continue to do so.

Paul Meunier 

Hmmm. That is something to make us all feel hopeful. And there's something magical about this cohort of young people. They seem to be rising to the moment, don't they?

Angie Erickson 

Yeah.

Paul Meunier 

Angie, thank you so much for all you do. We didn't get to talk about so many things about your work on the Human Rights Commission and all the giving back that you do and all the things you've done indirectly with young people. I know you've spent a lot of time directly working with them as well. But I for one am really grateful that you chose this profession, and you are working in a field that is so desperately needed to have accomplished people, skilled people, professional people, dedicated people like yourself. And so, thank you for choosing to help them. And also thank you for being a guest and sharing your story on The Passionate Youth Worker.

Angie Erickson 

So, thank you so much for having me. This was really fun, Paul.

Paul Meunier 

Before we go Angie, what words of wisdom or inspiration would you like to leave with our listeners?

Angie Erickson 

Really, the main thing that comes to mind is just always trying to find a way to keep moving forward. And continuing to strive to that next thing, whatever that next thing might be for you. Recognizing that our past and our history doesn't define who we are. It's an important piece. It's going to inform the way that we view the world and how we see things. And there's also things that we can change, we can do differently and I feel like that matters too.

Paul Meunier 

If you would like to share your passion for youth work, we'd love to spotlight you as a guest. If you have feedback about the show, please let us know. Just visit training.yipa.org, that's training.yipa.org and click on the podcast tab. This podcast is made possible in part due to a generous contribution from M Health Fairview. I'm your host, Paul Meunier. Thanks for listening to The Passionate Youth Worker!