Is subscribing to a podcast receiving software necessary?

Is there a safe subscription podcast receiver software for Lubuntu?

I am using Lubuntu 14.04 LTS. I have downloaded and manipulated various MP3 files for a while. For example, I have copied MP3 files from audio CDs and split them, etc. Then played them on my PC or burned a new audio CD.

But particular websites seem to require a subscription to a "podcast receiver" software. Do I need to subscribe to such a podcast receiving software? See, for example,
http://books.mcgraw-hill.com/podcast/acm/ or http://www.cmecorner.com/podcasthelp.asp

One such advertised podcast software is "Juice," see http://juicereceiver.sourceforge.net/index.php

Another one is itunes, see http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/

Does it really have to be so complicated? I want to be able to just get whatever content is available and download it as MP3 files (or maybe wav files) and burn audio CDs or play it on an MP3 player.

Does anybody have any Idea?

Thanks,

A.