Podcast Continuous Playback Cannot be turned off permanently

On iphone 15 pro, ios 18.0.1. Obviously, I start by going into settings, apps, podcasts and turn off continuous playback. That is what should work... forever. However, after a few days of toggling the switch, I will finish a podcast and the iphone continues to play the next podcast. I toggle it on and off and it works immediately... but will not remain and will start continuous playback even with the toggle off.