my shuffle won't play podcasts, but says they on on my device and sync is complete

Greetings grsaunde,

I'm not sure which iPod shuffle you have, but there are some things to note when playing podcasts.

iPod shuffle: Playing audiobooks and podcasts - Apple Support

When using iPod shuffle (1st and 2nd generation), if iPod shuffle is set to shuffle songs it will play all the audio files on iPod shuffle except audiobooks and podcasts*. To play an audiobook or podcast, set the switch on iPod shuffle to play in order .

When using iPod shuffle (3rd generation), podcasts and audiobooks will not be played when content is played from All Songs. If content is played from a playlist synced from iTunes, audiobooks and podcasts will only be played if the iPod's switch is set to play in order . In addition to playlists synced from iTunes, iPod shuffle (3rd generation) will create a special playlist for each audiobook synced and one for podcasts. When accessing these special playlists, audiobook and podcast content will play whether the iPod is set to play in order or shuffle songs . Podcast are sorted by alphabetical order and then by episode date.

All the best,

Nubz