You can solve unresponsive iTunes problems on connecting the ipod by following steps.

• Make sure that the system is updated with every software update. Windows users may use the Windows Update whereas Mac os x users may use the Software Update feature
• You can update the ITunes to its latest version
• Make sure that the ‘Prevent iPhones and iPods from syncing automatically’ option has been checked so that you can disable an automatic syncing of the ipod
• If it makes your ipod recognizable then you may re enable your sync options at one time. Then you may discard an associated information to sync
• You can try to delete the existing podcasts
• Then try to duplicate a problem by reconnecting your ipod to the other system
• If your ipod is known by another system then an original system is affected by some issues such as invalid or corrupted accounts

If your ipod is still exhibiting a same behavior then you require restoring your ipod to the factory settings. Then you can restore your deleted files from the backup. If you do not have the valid backup then it is better to use ipod data recovery software to recover them.