What does "higher production values" for the podcast look like? Well, part way through the interview I'm editing, the AC unit in my guest's room turned on. So, naturally, I'm using a parametric EQ to remove the dominant pitches emitted by the unit, plus the overtones of those pitches, plus some of the resonant frequencies of the unit's housing.
Their audio still sounds bad (laptop mic), but at least I have some things I can do to help.