Welcome to 'Heart and Soul,' the podcast where we empower and inspire women to lead their best lives, harnessing the power of their hearts and souls. We are Mariah and Monique, your hosts and guides on this journey of self-discovery and personal growth.
In each episode, we'll dive deep into topics that matter most to you, from self-love and confidence to career development, relationships, and everything in between. We believe that every woman has a unique strength and inner wisdom waiting to be unleashed.
Join us as we cover insightful heart and soul centered topics and interview incredible women who've overcome challenges, chased their dreams, and found their true purpose. Through all of this you will discover practical tips, strategies, and real-life stories to help you navigate life's twists and turns.
For whatever season of life you are in, this podcast is your safe space to explore, learn, grow and possibly even laugh and cry with us. So grab your headphones, your favorite drink, and let's embark on this transformative journey together.
With Heart, I’m Mariah and with Soul, I’m Monique.
Welcome to 'Heart and Soul,' the podcast where we empower and inspire women to lead their best lives, harnessing the power of their hearts and souls. We are Mariah and Monique, your hosts and guides on this journey of self-discovery and personal growth.
In each episode, we'll dive deep into topics that matter most to you, from self-love and confidence to career development, relationships, and everything in between. We believe that every woman has a unique strength and inner wisdom waiting to be unleashed.
Join us as we cover insightful heart and soul centered topics and interview incredible women who've overcome challenges, chased their dreams, and found their true purpose. Through all of this you will discover practical tips, strategies, and real-life stories to help you navigate life's twists and turns.
For whatever season of life you are in, this podcast is your safe space to explore, learn, grow and possibly even laugh and cry with us. So grab your headphones, your favorite drink, and let's embark on this transformative journey together.
With Heart, I’m Mariah and with Soul, I’m Monique.

In this powerful episode of Heart & Soul, we're sitting down with Annie Harala, co-founder of Story North Productions, elected official, and mother of four, to talk about what it really looks like to lead with courage, vulnerability, and deep community care.
From her time in AmeriCorps and public health to being the first female chair of the St. Louis County Board in 20 years, Annie shares her story of showing up, saying yes, and building a life that reflects her values. She’s also a passionate advocate for women in politics and offers insight into balancing entrepreneurship, local leadership, and motherhood without losing yourself along the way.
Whether you’re dreaming of running for office, launching a business, or simply trying to stay grounded through life’s big shifts—this one is for you.
🔑 What You’ll Learn:
How Annie built a career rooted in community and service
The realities (and myths) of women in politics
Her story of going from 0 to 4 kids in 90 days—while launching a business
How to run for local office (and why it matters more than ever)
Advice for women entrepreneurs with political aspirations
The importance of therapy, support systems, and saying yes to help
⏱️ Episode Chapters
0:00 – Meet Annie Harala
5:28 – Early Career: AmeriCorps, Public Health & Community Connection
13:03 – Why Annie Ran for School Board
19:09 – From School Board to County Leadership
26:04 – Building Story North Productions
28:46 – Motherhood, Loss & Becoming a Family of Six
35:44 – Women in Politics: Advice, Barriers, and Calling
44:00 – Entrepreneurship + Elected Office: Making It Work
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All Heart & Soul's Details:
Website: https://www.heartandsoulmastermind.com/
Join the mastermind program: https://www.heartandsoulmastermind.com/heartsoul
Say hi to Mariah on Instagram: @mariahmckechnie
Say hi to Monique on Instagram: @moniqueforcier
Leave a review on the Apple Podcast app and the Spotify app: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️