Is there a "Now Playing" widget for the Smart Stack?

Thank you for the reply, and, yes, I did check out the "Use Now Playing with a different device" section of the above page, and that's always worked to control audio playback on an iPhone or other connected device.

That's not why I am seeking advice here.

After starting a podcast on my iPhone, WatchOS 10 starts a "kinda-sorta" Now Playing widget on the Watch. I say this because when pressed this widget brings you to the Watch Podcast app. This does not control audio playback on the iPhone. I thought the purpose of the SmartStack widgets was to make navigating apps easier. That's not what's happening here, so why even start the widget? It's a bit annoying and I'll therefore continue to control audio by leaving the Workout app to go to the Modular watchface to press the Now Playing complication to control audio. Cumbersome especially considering a widget would be much better.

Thank you for the reply.

Yes, I am well aware that the Now Playing App on the Watch can control audio playback for what's playing on the iPhone at the moment, including podcasts. Now, with the advent of WatchOS 10 widgets, the following occurs on the SmartStack: after starting a podcast on the iPhone, and a SmartStack widget shows up. It shows some basic information about the podcast episode, but, when pressed, the Watch Podcast App starts. This App cannot control what's playing on the iPhone.

I therefore see no reason why that widget starts up in the first place. It's a useless widget at that point.

I have to admit that I got totally distracted in what I was trying to do with the advent of WatchOS 10 and the SmartStack enhancement. I previously used the dock to handle this minor task but I stumbled on a very easy solution that doesn't rely on the SmartStack widgets. Here goes:

Put on your AirPods (I'm using first gen Pro model) and start your podcast on the iPhone. (I prefer listening to podcasts straight from the iPhone vs. downloading them to the Watch.). Now start your workout app. Your workout app now displays your current activity. If you want to control the audio playback, simply swipe from right to left on the workout screen. This brings up the Now Playing app and all the controls for playback listening. Very, very simple and doesn't require accessing the former Dock feature or the current SmartStack feature. It also works if you're playing music.

I can't believe it's that simple and I hope this helps others visiting this thread.

Thank you for the info on App Switcher. It's also a good solution.