Getty Images (3) The new year is expected to add a dose of superhero action and at least one former president to the podcasting universe. Podcasting was one of the few entertainment constants in 2020, as the novel coronavirus roiled film and television productions and forced many networks and studios to push back many big-ticket releases. Audio-first producers, meanwhile, continued to make new shows — even if it meant recording in sound-proofed closets or home basements. In fact, the last year was in many ways an inflection point for the podcast industry, one of continued consolidation and investment. It was the year that it seemed like almost everyone — including Michelle Obama and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex — launched podcasts. That’s a trend that’s expected to continue heading into 2021. In the new year, listeners can expect more of the narrative non-fiction series that have become podcasting’s bread and butter (Pineapple Street Studios will launch series on the Unabomber and the Crown Heights Riot), not to mention new companion podcasts to popular TV shows (Shondaland and iHeartRadio’s