Downloaded Podcasts No Longer Playing On Apple Watch

Hi,

I use my Apple Watch SE to listen to downloaded podcasts on my air pod pros.

Haven't ever had an issue playing them until the most recent watch update.

Now when I try to play a downloaded podcast: the episode will not play. I select it from the downloaded list, it opens for a fraction of a second (no sound), and then flips back to the list of available episodes.

Note: If I play the downloaded podcast in range of my phone (from the downloaded podcasts on my iwatch) it plays no problem. So I'm guessing the issue is from when the phone is out of range...and that's when I need to listen to downloaded podcasts lol.

If someone could please help I'd appreciate it.

Thank you!

Watch Info

iwatch OS: 10.1.1 (21S71)

Model A2352

Airpods info

Model # A2698