What I have to say about lecterns and podiums is academic, but nevertheless worth mentioning.
A podium is a raised platform on which a speaker (or an athlete) stands (look left.) A lectern is the upright object on which he or she places her papers (look right.)
I know this because my schoolboy Latin tells me so. Podium, as I remember, comes from the Latin word pes, pedis which means foot. Think of the word pedal or podiatrist.
Lectern comes from lectere, meaning to read. Think of the word lecture.
There! I have said it and will not say it again.