This profile explores Joseph R. Biden Jr.'s winding path to become the oldest American president ever at 78 years old. We track his working-class roots, the family losses that shaped his empathy, and his unlikely 29-year-old election as a Senator from Delaware. Known for sharp questioning in judiciary hearings, he spent 36 years in the Senate before becoming Obama's vice president, chosen for his working-class appeal and foreign policy experience balancing Obama's slim resume. Though plagued by gaffes, Biden retained popularity across two terms. At 76, he mounted a third White House bid, emerging from a diverse Democratic field to take on Donald Trump by flipping five states Trump had won. Now Biden leads a pandemic-weary and divided nation at 81, facing doubts over his ability to meet harsh challenges and deliver ambitious change. This podcast charts Biden’s barrier-breaking yet tragedy-tinged career. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.