I'm very sorry to hear about the workplace bullying. But I wish you good fortune on your accountancy technician course! I am, as the kids say, manifesting good things for you. Or something. :)

Podfics are great! I've dipped my toe into podficcing but never actually published one, mostly because my recording capabilities extend only to "my laptop in my closet," but I did record some audio for an excerpt I wrote to nail down line delivery and even got to practice my accents with it, so there's that, at least. Maybe one day! I must admit that being able to pick out sound effects and do all the bells and whistles (as you say) does sound quite fun.