Podcast app plays 5-10 seconds then stops

podcasts play short segment then stop; pressing play results in same result.

iPhone 12 always updated

podcast app deleted, reloaded 2x.

phone rebooted 3x.

3 different podcast channels/shows tested.

no difference when audio routed to internal speaker, corded headphones, or Bluetooth external.

the big app rewrite made the app less effective; now it's a complete fail. Thx Apple