UKC

I like listening to podcasts using the app on my Iphone

Is there anyway to get the next episode in a series to start automatically or do you always have to do it manually?

Its a real pain while driving that the episode finishes and I can't start the next 

Cheers

Yes.  

In the Podcasts App, click the Library screen, select the three dots and click settings.  You can now choose which order they podcasts are to play.  I use custom settings, with oldest first.

I gave up with the default app and use Downcast instead

They’ve ruined the podcast app in the latest iteration. It’s stopped downloading lots of stuff.

Me too, but I use Overcast.

If you are in a car, Overcast works with Car Play to allow you to listen to podcasts without fiddling with the phone.

Another alternative is to set up an automatic play list so it will always play another podcast even if it has to switch to another program.