5 Questions With Dan Schawbel

5 Questions With Dan Schawbel


Episode 271: Jeff Margolis

December 24, 2023

My guest today is TV producer and director, Jeff Margolis. Jeff has directed TV specials including Michael Jackson: One Night Only, Sinatra 75: The Best Is Yet to Come, and even the Academy Awards. We talk about the art of producing hit TV shows, and his new memoir “We’re Live in 5”, during this episode.



This episode is proudly sponsored by isolved, a complete workforce management solution. Go to isolvedhcm.com for more information.





The 5 questions I ask in this episode:


  1. What did you learn from your uncle as you started your career in showbusiness?
  2. What was the process of working with major acts to develop their shows, like Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, and Frank Sinatra?
  3. What would you say are the key elements of a show that are linked to high viewership?
  4. How have you watched TV evolve with the advent of streaming and social media?
  5. What’s your best piece of career advice?

Video interview:




Follow Jeff’s journey: