Please, install the Development Version (8.8.10.7 beta 2). It will most likely solve the problem which appears in the IE9.
You may use the [display_podcast] place-holder. But you should make sure that it is not placed in a <p>
section.
I guess that you have unintentionally placed the place holder like that
<p>A talk on the current Ohio legislation to suppress the Vote in Ohio.<br />[display_podcast]</p>
in the last post (before you have changed the settings). If you do that then the all the elements from <!-- Begin: podPress -->
to <!-- End: podPress -->
are going to be placed in the <p>
section which is obviously not valid.
In other words: Yes, you can leave the code of your theme as it is and you may continue to use the place-holder. But you should be careful where you place it. But this is an general notice to all who use that place-holder.
Regards,
Tim