Community Highlights: Meet Khristian Lee of Follow Up Media

Today we’d like to introduce you to Khristian Lee.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I was born in New York, but when I was around eight years old, my family moved to Atlanta. I grew up in East Cobb, went to high school there, and like a lot of kids trying to figure themselves out, I didn’t exactly follow the traditional path. I dropped out, and not long after, my parents kicked me out of the house.

I’ll be honest: at that point in life, I didn’t have much of a plan. One day I decided it would be cool to be a body piercer. I had no clue piercing was on the verge of going mainstream—I just thought it seemed interesting and different. I started calling tattoo shops asking, “How do I get into piercing?”

That’s how I walked into Psycho Tattoo in Marietta, run by Deano Cook—who went on to become a world-renowned tattoo artist. That shop became my foot in the door, and I couldn’t have picked a better time. The tattoo and piercing industry was about to explode, and we rode that wave hard. Psycho Tattoo was one of the busiest shops in the state, and I was right in the middle of it.

By the time I was 22, I wasn’t just piercing—I had purchased Psycho Tattoo II in Sandy Springs. I was working alongside Deano, building something I never thought I’d be part of. But even while I was piercing people every day—every body part you could imagine—I knew deep down it wasn’t going to sustain the lifestyle I wanted for myself.

That’s when I made my next move. While I was still running the shop, I got my real estate license. I connected with one of the top commercial land brokers in the state, and he took me under his wing. Suddenly, I was working on major land deals. For the first time, I could see myself building something beyond the tattoo world.

Then the crash of 2007–2008 hit. The housing bubble popped, lenders stopped lending, and the market collapsed. Overnight, the big deals I was working on vanished. I went from being on the verge of huge things to wondering, once again, “What’s next?”

Enter Radio

All through those years, people had told me I had a voice for radio. Strangers, friends—it didn’t matter. Everyone seemed to think I should be on the air. Back in my piercing days, I’d actually pierced the belly button of a girl named Stacy who worked at 95.5 The Beat.

Years later, I called her up and said, “I think I want to be on the radio.” She laughed and said, “I’ve been telling you that forever.” She connected me to someone at Cumulus, the home of 99X and The Bert Show.

I went in, had a conversation, and finally said, “So when do I start?” And just like that, I was in the door—working for free. I spent years paying dues, learning the ropes, doing whatever it took to prove myself. Eventually, I became the full-time audio producer for The Bert Show.

For those who don’t know, The Bert Show is a behemoth—syndicated in 26 markets with millions of listeners. I produced all the audio and managed the podcast content, which was pulling in more than 6 million downloads a month. Being inside that machine, seeing how it operated, was like going to graduate school in content creation. It opened my eyes in a way I couldn’t unsee.

The Podcast Realization

Around that time, I launched my own podcast. I edited, produced, and promoted it myself, and I quickly learned just how overwhelming it was to do it all solo. At The Bert Show, there was an entire staff supporting one product. With my own show, it was just me—and I couldn’t afford to hire help.

That’s when I had the realization that changed my life: individuals might struggle to sustain content creation, but businesses? They had budgets. They had built-in audiences. And they desperately needed content strategies.

Most businesses—even today—don’t have much of a content strategy beyond maybe a blog on their website. Yet content is the most powerful tool they have to separate themselves from competitors. A podcast, a video series, a consistent digital footprint—it’s thought leadership. It’s positioning yourself as the subject matter expert. And the kicker? Businesses already have an audience: their clients.

That was the spark.

Building Follow Up Media

From that moment, Follow Up Media was born. We started with podcast production and grew into something much bigger—a creative lead agency and media powerhouse. Today, we handle everything from podcasting and YouTube optimization to sonic branding, AI solutions, media buying, and beyond.

We don’t just create content—we build ecosystems. We help our clients craft the content, produce it at the highest quality, and then distribute it strategically so it actually moves the needle.

We now have two studio locations in Georgia: one in East Cobb at Johnson Ferry and Roswell, and our flagship in Alpharetta. Clients come to us to record, but some prefer to build their own setups. That led us to another expansion: designing and installing custom studios for clients at their offices or even in their homes.

CastLogix: The Missing Piece

Out of that came another opportunity—CastLogix. We realized there wasn’t enough premium, modern furniture designed for podcasters, broadcasters, and content creators. So we started making it. Today, CastLogix is a full-scale furniture company with a 70-page catalog, plus the ability to do custom builds for creators and studios around the world.

Between Follow Up Media, our studio builds, and CastLogix, we now offer a true turnkey ecosystem. From designing the space, to building the furniture, to producing the content, to distributing it—we cover it all.

Looking Back

When I look back on the journey—from piercing, to real estate, to radio, to now—it all makes sense in hindsight, even though I could never have planned it this way. Every step gave me skills, perspective, and connections that fed into the next.

I couldn’t have predicted where this would go. But today, I get to work with businesses across industries, helping them build content that not only tells their story but grows their revenue.

It’s been a remarkable ride so far—and the best part is, we’re just getting started.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
If I’ve learned anything on this journey, it’s that no road worth traveling is ever smooth. From where you are to where you want to be, the path is going to be paved with self-doubt, people telling you why you can’t do it, and obstacles that seem to show up at every turn.

But here’s what I’ve found: every time I’ve set out on a path, I’ve ended up achieving what I set my sights on—not because I’m special, but because of a few key ingredients that I’ve learned to live by.

The first one is perseverance—starting and not stopping. It sounds simple, but it’s everything. Most people quit right before the breakthrough. I made a decision early on that if I started something, I was going to see it through no matter how long it took.

The second is being coachable. That means surrounding yourself with mentors—people who are already where you want to be—and building real relationships with them. The kind of relationships where they’re willing to share their knowledge, their mistakes, their expertise. That’s priceless.

The third is being committed to growth—constantly learning, studying, and staying curious about whatever field I’m in. Most of the time, that doesn’t require formal education. Sure, if you want to sell real estate, you need a license. But that license doesn’t teach you how to build a business or pay your bills. It just keeps you from screwing up your broker’s name. The real education comes from the hustle—putting yourself out there, making mistakes, learning fast, and adjusting even faster.

I once heard a quote—I think it was from Harrison Ford or another actor with a massive body of work. He said something like, “I got on the bus, and I just stayed on it until everyone else got off.” For some reason, that always stuck with me. Because that’s it. That’s the secret. Most people don’t fail because they can’t do it—they fail because they get off the bus too soon.

There were plenty of times when I wanted to. When I was in radio, there were days I thought, What the hell am I doing? I was working for free, grinding every day, trying to figure out if I’d ever make it. But then I’d get these little moments of confirmation—small signs that I was on the right track. That was enough to keep me going.

And looking back now, I know I was right to stay the course. My story is still being written, but the evidence is clear: I’m on the right path.

Follow Up Media has grown into something bigger than I ever could have imagined—a creative agency built on action, perseverance, and execution. And what excites me most is that we’re just getting started. Our goal isn’t just to be known—we want to become a globally recognized creative agency, led by passion, driven by results, and powered by a team that refuses to stop moving forward.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
At Follow Up Media, we’re more than a production company — we’re a creative lead agency and media powerhouse. We help businesses, brands, and thought leaders create, produce, and distribute high-quality content that actually moves the needle. We specialize in podcast production, YouTube optimization, sonic branding, AI-driven marketing solutions, and building entire content ecosystems from the ground up.

What sets us apart is that we don’t just create content and hand it off — we build an end-to-end system that makes it sustainable. Most agencies stop at the creative; we follow through with strategy, execution, and distribution. That’s why so many of our clients start with us for one service — like a podcast or a video project — and end up trusting us with their entire marketing and creative strategy.

Beyond content creation, one of our fastest growing areas is Search Engine Optimization (SEO) — because frankly, this is one of the most common pain points we hear from business owners every single day. Whether it’s a small business or a national brand, nearly everyone we talk to has been burned, underwhelmed, or flat-out robbed by agencies claiming to handle their SEO.

We take a completely different approach. We believe SEO should be transparent, measurable, and understandable. Every client gets weekly reports that clearly show what we’ve done, what’s performing, and where we’re focusing next — broken down so simply that a third grader could understand it. Our goal is to eliminate the mystery. If you’ve ever asked yourself, “What exactly is my SEO company doing for the money I’m paying?”, that’s probably a sign they’re not doing much.

If you’ve ever paid an SEO company and still can’t tell what they’re actually doing for your money, it’s time to call Follow Up Media. We make marketing measurable, content strategic, and results undeniable. Our team builds end-to-end ecosystems that turn confusion into clarity — and wasted budgets into growth.

We’ve built two state-of-the-art studio locations in Georgia (East Cobb and Alpharetta), and we also design and install custom studios for clients who want to record in their own offices or homes.

Another big differentiator is our sister company, CastLogix, which fabricates premium, modern podcast and broadcast furniture. This means we can take a client from concept to complete, delivering everything from the physical studio to the digital content strategy. Few companies in the world offer that level of integration.

Brand-wise, I’m most proud of the ecosystem we’ve built. When someone works with Follow Up Media, they’re not just hiring an agency — they’re plugging into a full team of experts in audio, video, design, digital marketing, and technology. Our team executes at a level I’ve never seen anywhere else, and the results show in our clients’ growth.

For your readers, here’s what I want them to know:
– We specialize in helping businesses create content that educates, entertains, and converts.
– We can build you a studio, furnish it, produce your show, optimize it for YouTube, distribute it, and manage the marketing — all under one roof.
– We believe every business has a story and a voice worth sharing, and we know how to make that voice heard.

We’re proud to be at the forefront of this new era of content and to give businesses the same high-level production capabilities that were once reserved for major media networks. At Follow Up Media, our mission is simple: turn your ideas into impact, and your message into momentum.

Who else deserves credit in your story?
There have been so many key people along the way — long before Follow Up Media was even an idea — that it would be impossible to name them all. But if I fast-forward to when I first got my foot in the door in radio, that’s where a lot of pivotal relationships began.

It started with Stacey Moldovan, the first person I called when I decided I wanted to be on the radio. That call led to an introduction at Cumulus Media, and ultimately to Southside Steve Rickman, who took me under his wing and let me assist him with remotes and all kinds of behind-the-scenes work.

Then came Bert Weiss, a Radio Hall of Famer and the host of The Bert Show, where I spent 10–11 years—going from traffic reporter to executive audio producer. Watching how that show distributed content was a masterclass. More importantly, Bert taught me the value of vulnerability and authenticity—lessons that made me a better host and a better leader.

I also have to mention Ben Heidenreich, my cohost on my first podcast and business partner, who helped turn early sparks into something real.

From there, it’s been all about the team that surrounds me today—the people who’ve helped turn Follow Up Media and our sister company, CastLogix, into what they are.

Kim (VP of Content) keeps our creative sharp and consistent.

John Feldhouse (Art Director and longtime friend) is my creative right hand.

John Mandato (Senior Video Editor) and Jonah, Fillmore, and Isaac (lead video/creative artists) are next-level talent.

Zane Durham (social media) and Ryley Alston (VP of Sales) bring relentless energy and results.

Gio Besa (YouTube specialist) optimizes and grows channels with precision.

On the studio build and furniture side of CastLogix, Bryan Waters (Head of Engineering) and Clay Adams (Furniture Designer/Creator) have turned ideas into modern, functional, flat-out badass builds.

And on our sonic branding and audio identity work, our partners Mark Wolfe (Composer) and Josh Hall (digital audio imaging master) are core to the sound of our clients’ brands. They translate vision into memorable sonic identities that carry across podcasts, video opens, promos, and full brand systems.

None of this happens without my family—my wife Erin, my son Kai, and my daughters Maxwell and Kieran. They’re my anchor, my motivation, and my why.

Every person here has shaped this story. I’m proud of what we’ve built, and even prouder of who I get to build it with.

Pricing:

• It’s always hard to give one-size-fits-all pricing because every brand is different. Are we talking about a small business, a mid-sized company, or an enterprise-level brand? Each comes with a completely different set of needs, deliverables, and strategies. At Follow Up Media, we customize every solution — whether it’s building a full ecosystem or offering à la carte services — to match exactly what that client needs. Our approach is never cookie-cutter, and our pricing reflects that flexibility. We’re beyond fair with our pricing. Some people come to us as small businesses just starting their journey, and others come to us as large enterprises with established marketing teams. You can’t price those two the same, and we never try to. Instead, we build scalable solutions that meet clients where they are and grow with them as their needs evolve.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.followupmedia.com