(Windows) Podcast listening, why is it so hard?!

following scenario.

As an avid video game enjoyer - I play games solely on my Windows machine.

I am also an avid Podcasts enjoyer, including paid subscriptions. My player of choice is Apple Podcasts.

It is therefore extremely frustrating that the podcast feature offering from Apple in the Windows/non-apple space is anything short of abysmal.

iTunes (for windows) is entirely unfit for purpose in 2024 vs the Apple ecosystem equivalent offering. There is zero support for remembering played episodes (from other devices), Home/Up Next section, subscription bonuses & early access.

There is seemingly no web player available for Apple Podcasts, while there is for Apple music/tv etc.

Question: Why is listening to podcasts with Apple so painful, outwith their bubble? Am I missing something here?

Please improve on this, Apple.. I'm paying the price to stay within your bubble. But there are valid cases where solely listening on Apple devices is not optimal