Layer By Layer Go!

Don
  • 5.0 (2)
  • PERSONAL JOURNALS

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 at a time. Each episode mixes song insights, practical goal-setting, and flavorful cooking tips, all grounded in real-life experience and a bit of rhythm. Whether you're chasing a dream, seasoning a stew, or writing your next big chorus, this show is your weekly nudge to dig deeper, live fuller, and keep creating. 

  1. Episode 19 — The Layers Before the Holidays

    5H AGO

    Episode 19 — The Layers Before the Holidays

    Before the holidays hit full blast, we’re stacking flavor, sound, and inspiration.  This short episode blends three new recipe reels, a classic song study, and a journaling spark to keep your creative energy rising through the season. Timestamps 00:00 – Intro 01:08 – Stairway to Heaven Canvas Print 01:25 – Songwriter Ideas & Drill 02:54 – In the Kitchen (3 Recipes) 05:37 – Journaling Prompt 05:56 – Outro Inside this episode 👇 • Songwriting Drill: What does laughter look like? What does a smile sound like? • In the Kitchen: Turkey Chili with Poblanos & Hominy • Chicken Marsala • Fruitcake Sourdough Loaf • Planning Drill: “Proof Before You Bake” — how to let ideas rise before you launch them • Journaling Prompt: “What idea has been quietly rising — and how can I bring it into the light?” • Bonus: Stairway to Heaven Canvas Print announcement 🎨 Grab your recipe cards and journaling tools at LayerByLayerGO.com, and if you’d like to support the show, visit coff.ee/layerbylayergo. Keep your pan hot, your chords warm, and your humor slightly undercooked.

    7 min
  2. Episode 18 (Season 2 Episode 2) – Love As You Live

    OCT 12

    Episode 18 (Season 2 Episode 2) – Love As You Live

    📝 EPISODE DESCRIPTION A heartfelt reflection on what it truly means to love as you live — and love in the end. In this soothing, gently humorous episode, Don shares the story behind his 1993 song “And In The End,” recorded in his Santa Ana, California home studio while still writing and performing with his band Eden from St. Thomas, U.S.V.I. The track, a hypnotic “Hey Jude”-style finale from his album Inspirations, reminds us that love isn’t something we save for later — it’s something we practice every day. 💬 Highlights in this episode: Story behind “And In The End” (1993)Life lesson — love as an everyday verbRecipe — Cinnamon Rice Pudding for comfort and connectionThe Code / Life Hack: “What would this look like if love were the motive?”Journaling Prompt: “Who needs to feel my love today — not tomorrow, not eventually, but before bedtime?”📺 Watch the lyric video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNj7UbDkezA 📘 Grab the Layer By Layer GO! Journal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FHW17C2H ☕ Support the show: https://coff.ee/layerbylayergo 🌐 More recipes, journaling tools & episodes: https://LayerByLayerGO.com 🎶 Featured Song: “And In The End” — Don Panzik (Inspirations, 1993) 00:00 – Opening   01:00 – Featured Song: “And In The End”   02:35 – The Message   03:14 – Recipe: Cinnamon Rice Pudding   04:43 – The Code / Life Hack   05:21 – Journaling Prompt   05:58 – The Song (Reprise)   06:51 – Outro   07:40 – “And In The End”

    14 min
  3. Episode 17 (Season 2 Episode 1) – The Next Layer

    OCT 5

    Episode 17 (Season 2 Episode 1) – The Next Layer

    Season 2 of Layer By Layer GO! kicks off with clarity, warmth, and a touch of humor. Don peels back the fog to share how simply showing up—one layer at a time—keeps life (and creativity) moving forward. This week’s recipe is a bright Lemon-Herb White Fish and the Song of the Week is “Here Comes the Sun.”

    5 min
  4. Greatest Hits Vol. 1 – Summer of 2025

    SEP 28 · BONUS

    Greatest Hits Vol. 1 – Summer of 2025

    This week’s special edition of Layer By Layer GO! brings together some of the best moments from our first run of episodes — the music trivia that popped, the recipes that got people cooking, and the life hacks that keep you moving forward. Whether you’re new here or you’ve been with us since Episode 1, this Greatest Hits collection is a perfect way to revisit the highlights. Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction 00:30 – Freewriting Drill (Ep 1) 03:19 – 90-Day Plan (Ep 2) 05:32 – No Drill (Ep 4) 06:45 – Music Trivia: Stevie Wonder / Rick Allen 07:25 – Music Trivia: Elton John / Bernie Taupin 08:13 – Music Trivia: Prince 08:43 – Music Trivia: Freddie Mercury 09:04 – Music Trivia: Billy Joel 09:50 – Music Trivia: Tears For Fears 10:39 – Music Trivia: T. Rex / Bowie influence 11:24 – Recipe Classics: No-Nut Banana Bread 12:22 – Recipe Classics: Chocolate Chip Sourdough 13:17 – Recipe Classics: Basil & Sun-Dried Tomato Sourdough 13:57 – Recipe Classics: Hatch Chili & Cheddar Sourdough 14:56 – Recipe Classics: Peach Cobbler 15:51 – Outro Links & Resources 🎧 More episodes at LayerByLayerGO.com ☕ Support the show: Buy Me a Coffee 📓 Get the companion journal: Amazon Link

    16 min
  5. Episode 16 — Making Mistakes Into Music 🎶🔥

    SEP 21

    Episode 16 — Making Mistakes Into Music 🎶🔥

    What if the wrong chord, the burned dessert, or the clumsy stumble was actually the beginning of something new? In this episode of Layer By Layer GO!, we discover how mistakes can turn into music, flavor, and wisdom. 🐾 Inside the Dawg Story, Donnie’s sour notes, Bubba’s blunders, Whiskers’ burned desserts, and Melody’s half-remembered tune all collide into a jam session — with Dreamweaver swooping in to remind us that the sweetest things often begin as accidents. You’ll also learn how to make simple homemade caramel sauce (where “burn” becomes the flavor), explore famous songs built on “wrong” notes, and get a clear reality check on indie vs. major label odds of hitting the charts. We’ll wrap with a journaling exercise to help you map your own mistakes into opportunities. ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 — Opening  00:37 — Dawg Story  03:27 — Recipe: Simple Caramel Sauce  04:15 — Songwriting Lesson  04:57 — Songwriter Reality Check  06:04 — Life Hack / Journaling Prompt  06:43 — Spin the Rockvale Wheel  06:57 — Outro / Next Week ✍️ This Week’s Journaling Prompt Make a Mistake Map: Write down 3 mistakes you made recently. Next to each, jot what hidden advantage or new path it revealed. 🔗 Links & Extras 🎵 Spin the Rockvale Wheel: LayerByLayerGO.com/music-vault  📓 Grab the official Layer By Layer GO! Journal: Amazon Link ☕ Support the show: Buy Me a Coffee

    8 min
  6. Episode 15 – The Stew of Diversity (Book of Dawg)

    SEP 14

    Episode 15 – The Stew of Diversity (Book of Dawg)

    This week we open The Book of Dawg to Chapter 1: The Stew of Diversity. Donnie Dawg and his friends discover why one ingredient alone doesn’t make a meal — or a life. From jambalaya to The Beatles’ Yesterday, to lessons on fanbases and artist managers, we stir up a layered recipe of music, food, and wisdom. Plus, the Rockvale Wheel spin closes us out with a full song from Don’s catalog.  TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Introduction 00:30 – Meet the Crew of the Book of Dawg 01:25 – Chapter 1: “The Stew of Diversity” 04:12 – This Day in Song: Yesterday (The Beatles) 05:27 – Journaling Prompt 05:49 – The Pen Den: What Artist Managers Look For 07:11 – The Spin of the Wheel of Rockvale 09:48 – Outro & Closing Words

    11 min
  7. Episode 4 – Victory

    SEP 7

    Episode 4 – Victory

    Victory is possible. In this episode, I share my own battle with the music giants and how persistence paid off, then flip the spotlight to your victories — big or small. We’ll cook up a hearty autumn casserole, debut the brand-new Rockvale Wheel, revisit Queen’s victory anthem in Today in Chart History, and wrap with a songwriter’s drill inside The Pen Den. Between these weekly episodes, don’t miss the daily Flight Plans and Music Trivia shorts I post — quick bites to keep you inspired layer by layer. Subscribe, like, follow, and comment to stay in the loop. Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction 01:32 – My Story: The Sony/Orchard Battle 02:57 – Universal Victory + Journaling Prompt 03:48 – Kitchen Victory: Autumn Comfort Food 05:23 – Introducing: Spin the Rockvale Wheel 08:15 – Today in Chart History 09:15 – The Pen Den (Songwriter Lesson) 10:11 – Outro

    12 min
  8. Episode 13 – Go Big or Go Home

    AUG 31

    Episode 13 – Go Big or Go Home

    🎙️ This week’s Sunday sermon is all about going BIG.Last week we preached “Less Is More,” but sometimes… less just isn’t enough. Sometimes the only option is Go Big or Go Home.In this episode:✈️ The Ultimate Lyric Writing Drill (Henley + Mercury method)🥘 Go Big Skillet Mac & Cheese — comfort food for hungry songwriters✅ Life Hack: The Yes/No Drill (ditch the maybes for good)🌻 Tribute: Brian Wilson’s Sunflower, Surf’s Up, and the legacy of Love & MercySpecial note: This blog post version will feature my own original song, “You Were There,” with its church-organ intro. 👉 Grab a copy here: Bandcamp Link 📖 Journaling Prompt: Write down your three biggest maybes and flip them to YES or NO. Then write one sensory image of summer and one truth you’re afraid to say — and marry them. That’s how Brian did it. That’s how timeless songs are born.❤️ Love and mercy, to you and your friends tonight. Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction  01:15 – Songwriter Lesson: Ultimate Lyric Writing Drill  03:18 – To the Kitchen: Go Big Skillet Mac & Cheese  04:34 – Life Hack: The Yes / No Drill  05:37 – Brian Wilson's Sunflower Tribute  07:39 – Outro Total Runtime: 08:46 Links 📔 Layer By Layer GO! Journal → https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FHW17C2H ☕ Buy Me a Coffee → https://coff.ee/layerbylayergo 🎵 Bandcamp – “You Were There” → https://donpanzik.bandcamp.com/track/you-were-there-album-version

    9 min
See All (24)

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

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 at a time. Each episode mixes song insights, practical goal-setting, and flavorful cooking tips, all grounded in real-life experience and a bit of rhythm. Whether you're chasing a dream, seasoning a stew, or writing your next big chorus, this show is your weekly nudge to dig deeper, live fuller, and keep creating. 

Information

  • Creator
    Don
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    24
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Layer By Layer Go!
  • Show Website
    Layer By Layer Go!