Destructive vs. non-destructive
Destructive editing changes the original file. Non-destructive edits sit on top and can be undone. For podcasting, you almost always want non-destructive — and you always want a backup of the raw recording.
Destructive editing means your cuts and effects are baked into the file itself — the original audio is overwritten. Non-destructive editing means your changes live on top of the file as instructions; the raw recording is untouched, and any cut, effect, or volume change can be undone.
Most modern DAWs and podcast maker tools are non-destructive by default. Audacity is the famous exception — it edits the waveform itself unless you're careful. Either way, the rule is the same: always keep a copy of the raw recording somewhere safe before you start editing. Hard drives die. Mistakes happen. Future-you might want to re-edit.
Save the raw file. Save the raw file. Save the raw file.