How to Add Custom Blocks to Magento CMS Pages, or Templates

Here is a simple example of the data flow to add a block to magento, I am sick of referencing old sites when I look it up so here is a simple example with pic.

[1] I typically begin by creating the display template first, it's basic html/css with whatever extended features you feel like adding. Traditionally you should add a helper for any indepth processing you want to accomplish but that will be covered in another post. For now lets add a dynamic brands block.
..... create brands_nav.phtml in /design/frontend/default/(yourtemplate)/template/catalog/navigation

[2] Next I like to add the xml to allow the include to know where you want your module. Lets say we want it in the body of the page when we call it.
.... add the block reference to layout/cms.xml
.... ....
[3]Then you just need to decide how you want to call the block. You can add it to every page, or just to the custom layout section of an individual page.
.... in the section add your block `` and you're set!