Podcasts speeds up to at least 4x and won’t stop

Using iOS 18.2 on iPhone 16pro and watch is 11.2 on watch ultra (1st gen). When I am in the shower, with watch on, playing a podcast, the podcast will speed up suddenly to at least 4x speed (faster than 2x, the fastest optional playback speed). Subsequently, the controls on the iPhone podcast app will not work (play pause, etc) and I cannot start another podcast. Have to force quit the app to get it to stop. This has been going on for for at least as long as I have it had the watch ultra (approx 26months). Any idea how to fix?