Recording Audio
Audacity
This is a free, cross-platform, audio recording and editing application. Most anything that you would need to do with audio Audacity should be able to handle it. Along with Audacity it is important that you download the LAME MP3 Encoder as well. This little plug in allows you to export MP3 audio file directly from Audacity.
Fission for Mac
Fission for Mac is an Apple only audio recording and editing application. It allows you to edit MP3, AAC and aiff audio files. Fission is a free download if you use it in demonstration mode. To unlock all the features the application costs $32.00.
WavePad
WavePad is a free Windows only audio editing application. WavePad is a wav editor and MP3 editor, and supports a number of other file formats including vox, gsm, Real Audio, au, aif, flac and ogg. You can upgrade to the full version of WavePad for $68.40. NCH Swift Sound has several additional applications available for free and for purchase.
Publishing your Podcast
Easypodcast
Easy Podcast is a free, cross-platform application for publishing a Podcast. This makes it a little easier to provide all the needed information to author a properly formated RSS Feed. Be aware that the Mac version of the software needs to be "recompiled" before you can use it. (This is not recomended for novice users.)
Podcast Maker
Podcast Maker is a Mac only podcast publishing application. The user interface is easy to understand and the RSS Feed that the program write includes iTunes specific tags needed to post on the iTunes directory. This application is free to try for thirty days and $29.95 to purchase.
Feed for All
Feed for All is a cross-platform application for publishing podcasts. It works much the same way as the other two applications listed above. Feed for All costs 39.95.