A podcast is basically a blog with RSS feed where all the entries are audio files. So in theory you could do it that way it’s probably be a bit of a job to set up, then serving the files would take a fair bit of bandwidth (if it gets even moderately popular), encoding to something like OPUS format might help if playback support in podcast players is widespread (MP3, AAC or OGG Vorbis might be a better fallback.

The audio editor I would choose is Audacity it’s been the gold standard for a free audio recorder/editor for years.

Careful with hosted podcasting services terms and conditions they can be restrictive with what you can do with your podcast later.

You’ve got more teeth than braincells

You haven’t got two braincells to rub together

Maybe one of these?

On AliExpress: 12.7mm USB 2.0 DVD/CD-ROM Case , IDE/ PATA to SATA Optical Drive External Enclosure For Laptop https://a.aliexpress.com/_Evga3Y0

Looks like a high density IDE connector.

I’d shop around for similar products, not sure if you need USB, SATA or just big IDE.