audio editing software for windows

hello to everyone,
I'm hoping to learn about audio editing mainly for potcasting. however I have no idea where to start. I'm currently looking for easy to learn program in windows. I'm a NVDA user but can use jaws in case screen reader is a relevant variable . I heard about ripper and odacity.
Although this is a bit out of topic, I would also love to get your advise related to non-software issues about audio editing such as where to learn basic concepts and such. I like to know why I do what I do.
thanks in advance