Does anyone know how the podcasts app is supposed to work?

Question

The podcasts app with iOS 7 is drively me absolutely and completely crazy.
1.I try to sync podcasts between my core iTunes library and two iDevices.
I sync a whole bunch of podcasts from my iTunes library. At some point, they randomly disappear. I come to the support communities were the general consensus is to remove iTunes from the equation. I do that. I resubscribe to all of my podcasts on my phone. I go through the tedium of downloading all the old episodes, clicking each episode one-by-one since there is no button to "download all". It works, sort of, but episodes don't sync across all devices. Finally, I decide I'd be content if it just worked on ONE device.
2. I resubscribe to all my podcasts on my iphone only.
Everything works, sort of, for awhile. Then one day I make the mistake of connecting my phone to my computer. The sync process decides to remove some (but not all) of my podcasts. Even those that haven't been listened to are gone. They are still available through "download old episdoes".
But I don't WANT to download them again. I already have, three or four times.  Worse yet is when they're replaced with the stupid cloud symbol. Look, I want to listen to these AWAY from the cloud, away from the internet.
I'm just 100% baffled by what the intent of this app is.  I have "Subscription - off" and "Refresh podcast - manually" on.  I am about to re-tag all podcasts as simple songs simply to get away from the irritating podast app.
Can someone please answer this very, very simple question:
How do I download and retain podcasts on my iPhone without them a) disappearing randomly or b) disappearing after they've been listened to?

Answer 1

Several ways to get similar results.  Image > Adjustments > Posturize with low values similar to what you'd use n Cutout.  This is the most flexible way I can think of as you keep the image in RGB mode with layers intact.  A more radical approach would be to reduce bit depth using Indexed Colour.  You'll need to experiment with settings, try changing Forced to Primaries, and Matte to Foreground Color.  There's no going back from this route, although you can change the mode back to RGB to re-enable layers, adjustment layers etc.
A nice thing about the Filter gallery filters is that you can change the layer to a Smart object with all the control that gives you.
Now if only this forum could filter out bizarre content.