HomePod mini not playing Podcast episodes labeled as “explicit”

Since at least February (probably a year) and therefore a few versions of HomePod OS 16, my HomePod devices are unable to play Apple Podcast episodes that are labeled as "Explicit".

Whether I ask Siri, or try to initiate via the Apple Podcasts app on a Mac or iPhone or iPad, it simply does not play said podcast.

• When I ask Siri, Siri understands and replies: “Now Playing the podcast XYZ”, but then adds: “I'm sorry, there was a problem with Apple Podcasts”
• If I start from a device (not AirPlay, but directly controlling the HomePod via Apple Podcast), it just doesn’t play, with no error message, and goes to the next in queue.

This occurs only on my HomePod minis, because I can play "explicit" podcast contents on my other Apple devices. 

I have tried rebooting, resetting, with no avail. 

My explicit content preferences on all my devices are set to "Allow", including in the Home app. 

I have Family Sharing turned on.

In the Home.app, there are two "Homes", and in the other home not all participants (which are part of Family Sharing) did allow explicit content. In the home where I am unable to play the explicit content I am currently the only member. 

I then made them change the settings to Allow Explicit Content, but the problem still occurs.

Still, this should not affect the playback of explicit podcast on a separate "home".

has anyone experienced a similar issue?