Based on first experiences and the look of the program, I paid the shareware fee but I must say I'm regretting it now. The main problem this app suffers from is the fact that it downloads all of the mp3 files in the main thread, rendering the interface useless during that time. If you want to cancel or change an option, well you'll have to force quit the app first. I contacted support about this but got no reply.

Other lesser problems:

The only automatic interval is every hour. I'd like it to be every day.

Every time it hits the automatic interval, it throws down an annoying sheet that causes its icon to bounce in the dock. If I want something to be automatic, then I don't want it to require my attention or interaction.

Unfortunately I don't know of a better alternative. However a slim podcast manager would make a perfect Dashboard widget. Someone should do that!