I've heard about the order issues over and over with Apple podcasts, I'm shocked that they haven't been able to figure it out, they have the resources and shops with much fewer folks can make a better podcast app, I guess it's just priorities.
I've personally have been using Pocket Casts since it was the defacto podcast app on Android in like 2012, grandfathered into the premium plan since I purchased it way way back before NPR bought them. Thought I'm considering giving overcast a try. I've heard very good things about it but I'm not sure if it's worth switching over with the subscription.