Q95 alum Kristi Lee launches podcast after ‘Bob & Tom’ exit

Popular radio personality Kristi Lee, who in January left Q95’s "The Bob & Tom Show" after 27 years, is launching a podcast.

"Kristi Lee Uninterrupted" will debut Tuesday with five episodes at once. Her guests will include names familiar to "Bob & Tom" fans, including recently retired co-host Bob Kevoian, former "Nick at Nite" host and public speaker Dr. Will Miller, Morty’s Comedy Joint owner Chris Bowers, and comedian and actress Jen Kober.

Kristi Lee

After this week's debut, Lee will produce a weekly 20- to 40-minute podcast, with guests to include former Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard and Indianapolis Motor Speedway President Doug Boles. She hopes to begin shorter daily pieces with news updates and observations “in the near future.”

Listeners can stream Lee’s podcast on Kristileenews.com or through podcasting platforms such as iTunes and Stitcher.

Brad Shoemaker, whose Indianapolis-based Creative Zombie LTD podcast studio is producing Lee’s show, thinks the new podcast will have a considerable following due in part to Lee's popularity from the nationally syndicated "Bob & Tom Show."

Some of the more popular podcasts Shoemaker’s studio produces get around 3,000 downloads a week.

“With someone like Kristi Lee, who has a national following, I could see it surpassing that by a long shot,” he said.

The length of Lee’s main weekly shows “will be dictated by the content,” Shoemaker said. Lee’s discussion with Kevoian lasted 75 minutes.

“What we want in general is a good bite-sized bit you can listen to driving to and from work,” Shoemaker said.

The shows will consist of interviews, mixed with news bits, observations, comedy and “getting to know more about Kristi’s life.”

Although Lee already has completed five episodes for the show, Shoemaker said, “It’s in its infancy, so she’s still trying to figure out where she wants it to go.”

Shoemaker, a former producer and web director for Q95 parent Clear Channel, said Lee approached him about doing the show, and he jumped at the chance.

“Kristi only started on Twitter in December and already she has 20,000-plus followers, and that’s growing,” Shoemaker said. “Obviously, we think this show has tremendous potential.”

Lee, 55, told IBJ on Friday that she decided to start the show to get herself back in the public eye, although she said she is open to selling sponsorships once the show matures.

“I really did this as a way of connecting with fans,” Lee said. “I’ve been humbled by the outpouring since I left the air. I always tried to project the voice of reason. I was the girl who always stood up for herself and I guess that resonated with listeners.”

Lee, whose non-compete clause with WFBQ-FM 94.7 expired March 31, laughed when asked about the title of her new show.

“That’s what was so appealing about doing this,” Lee said. “I get to pick the subjects, do the interviews, ask the questions and not be interrupted. After 20-plus years of always being interrupted on the air, that’s going to feel pretty good.”

Lee said she’s “in the process of reinventing herself professionally” and is looking forward to the challenge.

“Part of this is proving I can do my own thing,” she said. “Not only can I be a support character, but proving I can carry a show.”

As for her abrupt departure from "The Bob & Tom Show" three months ago, Lee said she’s more focused on the future.

“The timing just felt right [to leave],” she said, “and I wanted to explore other opportunities.”