how do I sync podcasts between a Mac and the Podcasts app on iPhone or iPad?

Yep, you don't. I'm living the same dilema since the upgrade to iOS 6. iTunes on my Mac is (and will always be) my master library, where I decide what to subscribe, what to keep, what to delete. You can still sync Podcasts directly from iTunes though and they will end up in your Podcasts app. When, after listening to them, you sync the device with iTunes again, it will update the played/unplayed status and playback position on iTunes. But!... if you do it this way, it won't sync playback position between devices through iCloud (say if you have an iPhone and an iPad to which you sync those same podcasts) - it seems that only works for Podcasts you subscribe on the device itself.

However, all this appears to be on the verge of being unified in the next version of iTunes, which is about to be released. If you check the "What's New" section for the new iTunes on Apple's website, right at the end it says:

Start a movie, TV show, podcast, iTunes U lesson, or audiobook on one device. Pause anytime, and you can pick it up later on another device. iCloud remembers right where you left off. It’s just smart that way.

In a related wau.

What is the purpose of the podcasts app.?

Previously I could listen to either a podcast or some music through the "music" app on my iPod Touch.

Now, there are two apps for basically the same thing.

Also, there does not appear to be a way of slow scrubbing on this new, unwanted app.

Is there any way of revrting to the previous system, where the podcasts were part of the music app, and showed up as such?

Is there any way of revrting to the previous system, where the podcasts were part of the music app, and showed up as such?

I certainly wish there was a way. The Podcast app doesn't remember where I left off, doesn't synch properly, doesn't work well with Siri, looks awful (really, a tape-to-tape reel as a visualization?); doesn't display "show notes" information, and -- this is annoying -- doesn't let you stream podcasts from your computer to your iOS device via iTunes home sharing. Extremely frustrating.

Until the new version of iTunes comes out with this sync feature, perform the following on iphone / iPod:

1 Close music app and podcast app (ie make sure neither is open app and doube click the home button to see those apps open. Make sure you click the 'x' to completely close out of both music and podcast app).

2 delete the podcast app. (Ie press and hold an icon until the icons wiggle, then press the 'x' of the podcast app)

Your audio podcasts should now appear in music app

Your video podcasts should now appear in video app

Thanks, MikeyCh. I did that based on another post, and it does work.
Sad that the best work-around is "delete the fancy new app and go back to the old way."

"Start a movie, TV show, podcast, iTunes U lesson, or audiobook on one device. Pause anytime, and you can pick it up later on another device. iCloud remembers right where you left off. It’s just smart that way."

Apple failed to deliver on this promise. If you stream a Podcast on your Mac, without downloading it, iOS devices will sometimes know where you left off. But, if you operate this way, new Podcasts are not flagged in iTunes and there is no sync with Apple TV. If you download podcasts to your Mac and play them locally, iCloud syncing between Macs and iOS devices is broken.

VERY disappointing. I hope somebody else finds the magic recipe and posts it here.

I did this, but I still cannot see my podcasts on my iphone! Help? What diod I do wrong?

@bbakkemac - Launch iTunes. Select your iPhone in the left hand sidebar. Select the 'Podcast' tab. Tick the box 'sync Podcasts'. Select which Podcasts you want to sync. Click on the 'Apply' button at the bottom right.

The Podcasts you selected should now sync with your iPhone every time you sync your iPhone with your PC.

I feel like there should be an option to "Sync with the cloud" on the podcast page. My iMac and my iPhone are synced, but my MBP is completely out of the loop. #firstworldproblems

When I assign to a podcast in both mbp and iphone, it will start where I left the video correcly. What it does not is to show me a new podcast in the iphone when I subscribe to it in itunes. Is it correct? I would realy like this feature!!!

Anytime one has to back out a change, that is a fail. iTunes 11 has arrived recently, and the situation is not fixed. So, "podcast" as a separate app is banned from my devices. Go back to the drawing board, and give us something good, or nothing at all. Apple's reputation is at stake. One "aw crud!" wipes out ten "atta-boys"