is there software that can do multi track recording on everyone's computer / phone and later combine the high quality local recordings after the fact? Because it's hard to guarantee enough bandwidth for real time high quality centralized recording.
That does add to the work but it's not bad for a 15-20 minute interview.
The thing I'd like to see which I guess falls into the "seems easier than it is" bucket is software that automatically stripped out common verbal tics like "umm" and "you know." Cleaning up at least some of those and equalizing all the volumes probably takes most of my time editing a podcast.
I haven't looked recently to see if there's anything else out there as I don't have a podcast at the moment.
On the Mac for example, Garageband comes with a free compressor plugin -- and even EQ presets for "spoken voice" like material.
But you can also find free VST compressors -- you'll then need an audio plugin host. Audacity can do that too.