Itunes can't see my podcasts

This has only happened since the last software update. It's REALLY annoying. I have fiddled with just about every setting, option and preference and the podcast library screen just shows me "What's new". I've played podcasts, downloaded new ones (which I can see downloading and I can see on the hd) and still iTunes can't see them or play them. It does, however, see iTunesU.

I spend hours a day walking so podcasts are really important to me.

Any ideas anyone? Thank you!