Layer By Layer Go!
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Layer By Layer Go! episodes

  • Episode 9 – There's Always a Next

    🎙 About This Episode
    Hey, it’s Don — and if you’re a songwriter, a scribbler, a journal junkie, a kitchen creator, or just a human being with something stirring inside… this one’s for you.

    We’re going from one idea to the next — one melody, one recipe, one memory — and straight into what’s next for you. Because here’s the truth: there’s always a next. Even after the last note rings out, there’s still a spark waiting to be caught.

    This week’s lineup:

    • Song Spotlight: From a dusty box of vinyls to an unexpected spark of inspiration.
    • Recipe: The Revival Plate — comfort food that feels like a fresh start.
    • Life Tools: Journaling and drills that keep your creative fire burning bright.

    📒 Journaling Prompt:
    "If I finish what I’m working on today, what’s the very next step I can take tomorrow to keep momentum alive?"

    🍽 Featured Recipe:
    Printable Revival Plate Recipe

    🎵 Featured Songs:

    • "Vincent" – Don McLean (YouTube)
    • "I Found Your 45’s" – Don Panzik (YouTube)

    ⏱ Timestamps:
    00:00 – Intro
    01:10 – About this episode
    02:57 – More on the Wilson sisters
    04:59 – Stagefright
    06:07 – "Vincent" by Don McLean
    07:31 – "I Found Your 45’s" by Don Panzik
    12:18 – Recipe: "The Revival Plate"
    18:54 – The "Next" Drill
    21:28 – The "7 Minute Next Drill"
    24:34 – About next week's episode
    26:14 – Final words

    ☕ Support the Show:
    Buy Me a Coffee

    📓 Grab the Companion Journal:
    Layer By Layer GO! Journal on Amazon

    27 min
  • Episode 8 – To Infinity and Beyond

    Subtitle: The Infinity Mindset, Music That Lives On, and 12 Real Ways to Get Heard

    Summary: In this powerful 8th episode of Layer By Layer GO!, we take Buzz Lightyear's catchphrase for a joyride through regret, music, and revival. We break down "The Highwayman," spotlight the brilliance of songwriter Jimmy Webb, and flip regrets into redemption with a journaling drill you won't forget. Plus: a foolproof Eggs Benedict Florentine, and 12 real, gritty, no-nonsense actions you can take TODAY to get your music heard. It's the final part of our 3-part music marketing series, and it’s our biggest one yet.

    Featured Song: "The Highwayman" (performed by Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson) YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFkcAH-m9W0

    Timestamps: 
    00:00 – Intro: Why we’re stealing back Buzz Lightyear’s catchphrase
    01:55 – Song Spotlight: The Highwayman & the infinity mindset
    04:34 – Jimmy Webb: The genius behind the verses
    05:34 – A Lesson on Infinity: You are the next verse
    06:38 – ✍️ Flip-It Drill: Rewrite your regret, reclaim your future
    10:46 – 🥣 Recipe: Eggs Benedict Florentine (with the double boiler tip!)
    13:57 – (Quick Egg Hack: Test your eggs for freshness)
    17:22 – Growth on a muffin: Reflections from the kitchen
    18:41 – 🎵 Music Marketing Pt. 3: Visibility without selling out
    21:43 – 💡 This week’s journal prompt
    22:33 – 🎯 BONUS: 12 things you can do today to get your music heard
    28:35 – Closing + Episode 9 teaser: Songs Don’t Die

    Links Mentioned:

    • Recipes Page: https://layerbylayergo.com/recipes
    • Tools Page: https://layerbylayergo.com/tools
    • Support the Podcast: https://coff.ee/layerbylayergo
    • Buy the Companion Journal: https://amzn.to/3ZYvWCU
    32 min
  • Episode 7 – What You Repeat, You Become

    What we do consistently, we become. In this episode, Don highlights “Invincible” by Kelly Clarkson (written by Sia), shares a French Onion Soup recipe and a peach cobbler that’ll make you shout hallelujah, and walks you through Part 2 of the music marketing series — Tools Without Selling Out.

    🎯 Learn how to use playlists, sync licensing, and your unique energy without becoming a promo zombie.

    🍽️ Plus: no-cry onion cutting hacks, free journaling prompts, and the proud launch of the Layer By Layer GO! Journal!

    🎧 Listen now on your favorite platform:
    Buzzsprout | Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Amazon Music
    ☕ Support the show: https://coff.ee/layerbylayergo

    ⏱️ Timestamps
    00:00 – Intro & Journal Launch
    01:32 – Song Spotlight: “Invincible” by Kelly Clarkson
    03:10 – Bonus: Songwriters Who Broke Through from Nothing
    08:24 – Recipe Segment: French Onion Soup
    10:56 – No-cry Onion Hacks
    13:47 – Peach Cobbler
    17:52 – The Journal: How to Use It to Transform
    23:31 – Music Marketing Part 2: Tools Without Selling Out
    27:03 – Journal Prompts for the Tools
    27:34 – Outro + Amazon Music Launch + Community Shoutout

    31 min
  • Episode 6 – Sizzle & Swagger

    We’re turning up the heat and kicking off a brand-new 3-part series: How to Market Your Music — but first, we need to talk swagger.

    In this episode, Don breaks down the difference between real confidence and empty ego, shares stories behind three swagger-soaked songs (including his own original track, “Everybody’s Talkin’ ‘Bout You”), and simmers up a rustic Chicken Cacciatore that’ll have your kitchen smellin’ like you know what you’re doing.

    Plus:
     🔥 A journaling prompt to find your voice
     🧠 A planning drill to build creative boundaries
     🎯 A new Action Drill: The Listener Map — your first step in getting the right people to actually hear your music

    And yep — there's a CD giveaway.
     Donate $25 or more at coff.ee/layerbylayergo and get a free copy of Don’s album A World Of Our Own (U.S. only).

    Timestamps:

    00:00 – Everybody’s Talkin’ ‘Bout You (full track)
     04:40 – Welcome
     05:41 – What is Swagger?
     07:09 – Song Spotlight: Bad to the Bone
     07:43 – Song Spotlight: Hoochie Coochie Man
     08:33 – Derivation of Swagger
     09:39 – Songwriting Tips: How Do You Write Swagger?
     10:05 – 8 Artists Known for Swagger
     11:33 – Recipe: Chicken Cacciatore
     14:53 – Takeaway: Swagger vs Ego
     15:54 – Freewriting Prompt
     16:21 – Planning Drill
     17:26 – Music Marketing Part 1: Start with the Listener
     19:13 – Journaling Prompts Recap
     19:54 – Action Drill: The Listener Map
     21:39 – Final Words & Free CD Offer

    24 min
  • Bonus Cast: The Power of Journaling

    In this special bonus cast, Don explores how journaling can unlock your internal genius, help you reflect, and move you forward—layer by layer. This quick mini-episode is packed with inspiration and a journaling prompt you can use today.

    4 min
  • Episode 5 – Try A Little Kindness

    In this episode of Layer by Layer GO! we crank up a little Glen Campbell, master the art of cooking eggs the right way, and tackle the easiest way to boost your day — kindness. Plus, hear how the brand-new Layer by Layer GO! journal can help you make life smoother, one page at a time.

    🎶 Featured Song: Try a Little Kindness – Glen Campbell
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    🔪 My Favorite Bread Knife: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D76DH33R
    📒 Grab your journal & planning tools: https://LayerByLayerGO.com/tools

    Timestamps:
    00:00 – Introduction/Overview
    02:07 – Song Spotlight
    07:06 – Songwriter Layer
    08:50 – The Glen Campbell Story
    11:48 – Songwriter Prompt #1
    12:24 – Songwriter Prompt #2
    12:36 – Songwriter Prompt #3
    12:56 – To the Kitchen: Eggs the Right Way
    14:04 – Scrambled Eggs
    15:41 – Over-Easy Eggs
    16:53 – Soft-Boiled Eggs
    18:10 – Poached Eggs
    19:37 – Troubleshooting & Bonus Tips
    23:00 – Introducing the New Journal
    25:50 – The Kindness Drill
    29:50 – Final Thoughts
    31:33 – Next Week...

    34 min
  • Episode 4 — Let It Go

    Song Spotlight: Every Breath You Take by The Police
    Recipe: Dried Sourdough Starter (Fast-React Method)
    Life Hack: Say 'No' and Let Go of the Past

    Ever feel stuck holding on to things that drag you down? In this episode, we're layering life with a lesson in letting go. We’ll break down one of the most misunderstood love songs of all time — Every Breath You Take — and cook up the ultimate backup plan for your sourdough starter. Plus, you’ll get a simple drill to boost your confidence saying 'No' and freeing up your focus.

    ✔️ How Puff Daddy gave this song a second life — and why I hesitated to bring it up
     ✔️ A proven method to dry, store, and fast-reactivate sourdough starter
    ✔️ The 'No' Drill — practice setting boundaries like a pro

    Mentioned Tools & Links:
    🛠️ LayerByLayerGO.com/tools — My go-to bread knife & more
    📝 LayerByLayerGO.com/journal — Companion Journal (Link live soon)

    Your Takeaway:
    Sometimes, letting go starts with saying 'No' — to distractions, to baggage, to old stories. Ready to layer better days? Let’s GO.

    33 min
  • Episode 3 – No Worries, Just Stew

    In Episode 3 of Layer by Layer GO!, Don peels back the power of Bob Marley’s “Three Little Birds,” simmers a rich pot of Brunswick Stew, and dishes up a soulful journaling challenge about releasing worry and trusting the process. It's comforting, flavorful, and full of purpose — just like the stew. 🥄🎶

    ⏱️ Timestamps:
    00:00 - Introduction
    03:10 - Song Spotlight: Three Little Birds
    09:24 - Brunswick Stew Recipe
    13:20 - Life Hack: Gratitude In The Moment
    14:02 - Challenge for the Week
    15:07 - Journaling Prompt
    15:52 - Step 1
    16:33 - Step 2
    17:37 - Step 3
    18:49 - Starter Themes
    20:40 - Final Thoughts

    Explore tools, recipes, and resources at:
    https://LayerByLayerGO.com

    23 min
  • Episode 2 – Simple Man, Simple Plan

    🎧 Episode 2: Simple Man Planning & Sourdough Basics
    Layer by Layer GO! — Music, Food, Life Hacks, One Layer at a Time

    In this episode, Don breaks down stress-free planning with the 90-Day approach, shares the power behind Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Simple Man,” and walks you through beginner-friendly sourdough bread. Plus, a bonus songwriting insight and life hacks to simplify your day.

    ⏱️ Timestamps:
    00:00 - Introduction
    02:11 - Song Spotlight: Simple Man
    05:17 - Bonus Song Spotlight: I Need You
    06:47 - Songwriting Prompt
    07:51 - Sourdough Bread Basics
    08:44 - Understanding Sourdough Starter
    09:26 - Basic Artisan Sourdough Loaf Recipe
    14:41 - Life Hack: Simplicity Drill
    16:32 - 90 Day Plan, step 1
    17:18 - 90 Day Plan, step 2
    18:01 - 90 Day Plan, step 3
    18:33 - Initial Wrap Up
    19:17 - Next Week Preview
    19:34 - Bonus: 10 Simple Truths
    21:58 - Final Thoughts

    Explore tools, recipes, and resources at:
    https://LayerByLayerGO.com

    26 min
  • Episode 1 – The Blank Page

    🎧 Episode 1: Kickoff & Comfort Food
    Layer by Layer GO! — Music, Food, Life Hacks, One Layer at a Time

    In this debut episode, Don peels back the inspiration behind Layer by Layer GO!, shares some insights on a classic song, why and how it was written; a comforting Chicken & Rice Soup recipe, and your first simple journaling prompts to kick off creative momentum.

    ⏱️ Timestamps:
    00:00 – Introduction & Welcome
    01:44 – Song Spotlight: A Whiter Shade Of Pale
    03:01 – Songwriting Prompt #1
    05:22 – Songwriting Prompt #2
    06:52 – 10 Minute Mood Writing
    08:05 – Chicken & Rice Soup
    13:52 – Introduction To Freewriting
    16:30 – How to Freewrite
    20:13 – Preview to Next Episode
    21:00 – Bonus: Look In Your Eyes
    22:56 – Final Thoughts

    Explore tools, recipes, and resources at:
    https://LayerByLayerGO.com

    26 min

About Layer By Layer Go!

From the publisher's feed

Layer by Layer is a fresh blend of creativity, intention, and inspiration — hosted by Don, a songwriter, cook, and lifelong learner exploring how we build a meaningful life, one layer…