How do I transfer podcast episodes onto playlist?

I have the same problem. I drag a podcast episode from my podcast Library to the playlist I want it in. I attach my phone to my PC and it does not sync. I have set my iPhone Podcast settings to Automatically include all when my phone is attached to my computer. It does not load these podcast in to the Playlist. When I open the Playlist in Library on my iPhone 5SP it says It's Empty right now: check back later. I just loaded 11 it still does not work, but now I cannot drag and drag a podcast episode from my podcast Library to the playlist I want it in, I can't find an edit button in the upper right corner (could not in 10 either) and if I use the right click on the episode I want it shows the Playlist I want but does not move or copy it to the Playlist. I've tried auto sync by plugging the phone into the computer and manually by hitting the sync button. I used to use Playlists a lot not I have to stop what I'm doing and search for the nex podcast I want to listen to.

I also have this problem now. For the last decade plus I've been placing my podcasts in a playlist so I can listen to them is a specific order on my ipod/iphone and since this latest update the playlist function seems to have been removed from the app all together. Updates are supposed to improve quality of life, not remove functionality making the app useless. I listen to podcasts at work I cant stop between every episode to find the next one I want to listen to.

Oh, I'm using iTunes 12.7 and Windows 10

Do you have a playlist in your iTunes library that syncs (automatically) to the iPod when you connect it?

If so, your question is about updating playlists in iTunes (in general), correct? Not specifically about updating podcasts on iPod, because that part happens automatically when you connect iPod.

There are a few ways to add to playlists. One way is to show the source list (such as your podcasts library) in the main part of iTunes window. In the (left) sidebar, make the target playlist visible (without selecting it). Drag and drop podcast episodes from the source list to the playlist (in sidebar).

You can also select the playlist in sidebar, so that is shown in main part of iTunes window. Near upper right corner, click Edit Playlist button. The playlist moves to sidebar along right side of window, and main part of window becomes the source list. Drag and drop from source list to right sidebar.

The third way is to select item you want to add, right-click it, and Add to Playlist -> [name of playlist].

NOTE: Podcast episodes must be stored locally (on your computer's drive), if you want to add them to playlists. I noticed that episodes that are only stored online (for streaming) cannot be added to playlists in your iTunes library. Episodes that are not stored locally have the cloud with down-arrow (download) symbol. You can click that symbol to download.

This has not worked for me at all. I am trying to learn a new language and there are many excellent podcasts to enjoy. However, it is important to listen to them in order in order to build up you knowledge correctly. I made a playlist from the early episodes of a podcast with hundreds of episodes. Then I had to manually sort them into the right order, then I synced my iphone to itunes, making sure to ask to sync podcasts, this podcast in particular, and "include episodes from playlist". The result is I have a playlist in "Music" but it is empty. Picking each and every episode for a playlist in the podcast app is impractical, especially when it automatically turns it into a "station" and adds in random episodes, that I wont need for a year.

Why did apple mess up podcasts so much? It demonstrates a fundamental lack of understanding of how listeners use this important function that is growing in popularity. Is there any workaround?

When you set up iPhone's Podcasts settings screen in iTunes (where the Sync Podcasts checkbox is located), do you checkmark the box for the setting that starts Automatically include...? If you do, make sure it is set to

Automatically include all episodes of selected podcasts