My python re-write of pod_feeder is now in a usable state. I'm going to begin testing it on some of the feed accounts I control. If anyone else would like to do the same and give me feedback, that would be greatly appreciated!
This new version should be much easier to debug thanks to the use of the excellent feedparser and diaspy python libraries. I was able to complete this script so quickly because 75% of the work had already been done for me :)