Following almost destroying our planet, our families have become allies’: a thrilling podcast featuring John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s relatives.

During the month of October 1962, the world came nearer to destruction than at any other point during recent history. This happened when an American surveillance aircraft found the fact that Soviet atomic missile sites were under construction in Cuba, less than 100 miles off the coast of American soil. Reacting to this, U.S. President JFK commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a maritime blockade around the island. What followed was almost two weeks filled with unbearable stress.

An Unthinkable Danger

The peril was clear. Should Kennedy, or the Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack against the other side, a chain reaction of worldwide atomic strikes followed by counterstrikes might have ensued, casting mankind toward total oblivion.

This pivotal 1962 event has been documented repeatedly, through volumes, movies, and TV documentaries. However, for its third season, a prominent audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" introduces a novel dimension into the story. The series is jointly hosted by Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva, relatives of the leaders that, for two tense weeks, held the fate of humanity in their hands.

"What was the Kremlin planning? What was the American side planning?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant who is also a professor of global relations.

For her, the unique appeal of the podcast lies in its endeavor to explore: "Why do people hate each other to the point they confront one another?"

"I am acutely aware how spectacular it is that people have the potential to be allies or else have the potential to be complete enemies," remarks Kennedy, son of RFK, related to the late president and currently an author as well as attorney. "We see this repeatedly when nations have gone to war, and it just illustrates the profound irrationality it is to engage in warfare."

A Precipice Towards Disaster

What is remarkable about the Cuban missile crisis is that, because it transpired in the global spotlight, individuals globally could watch nearly as it happened while it crept closer to catastrophe. Even so, the risk of destruction came closer than what anybody understood at the time.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for a military strike and an invasion," explains Kennedy. "If we had struck Cuba with the Sixth Fleet, undoubtedly the Russians stationed there would have launched a nuclear warhead at the American ships, which would have destroyed our aircraft carriers as well as destroyed our largest and most important naval force. In turn, we would have retaliated through massive retaliation which would have ended all life on Earth."

The fact this did not occur stands as credit to both leaders, they managed to remain calm and engaging in diplomacy when hawkish elements in their governments demanded military action. Consequently, Khrushchev removed the missiles from the Caribbean island while President Kennedy (although not reported then) removed his similar weapons based in Turkey. The relief was worldwide, matched by a feeling of optimism.

A Different Perspective

Still, during those 13 days of October 1962, the anxiety was felt globally. The Bomb’s presenters came into the world in the years following the crisis, and Khrushcheva learned about it via the USSR's school curriculum, which presented a slightly different picture of what happened.

"You said your parent remembers it, describing it as a frightening day," she says. "But in the Soviet Union, the public were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, because it was a tense situation, and in the Soviet Union the official line was that things are constantly fine and sunny."

Inside the Khrushchev household, though, it was different. "I was informed that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, as it represented eyeball to eyeball. They were able to find a solution, thus avoided a global war, which was a wonderful outcome," she continues. Later on, though, that view was not shared by all Russians. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a defeat for the Soviet leader, simply he didn’t blow up America."

An Unlikely Partnership

The Bomb is so balanced and expertly crafted so much so that Nina jokes it almost made her forget she already knew outcome. This effect is, partly, due to the participation of renowned scholars. But, really, the most significant aspect is the involvement of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it would be inconceivable for descendants of the heads of state of the United States and USSR would appear side by side. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth with each other, has to be a symbol of progress.

"Max and I are not the first," smiles Khrushcheva. "After 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we had never met before the podcast," adds Kennedy. "Which is unfortunate since we connected immediately and we are friends, which is really great. Ultimately, after nearly six decades of almost destroying the world, our families are now friends, so I think the world is more secure, a little bit."

Modern Parallels and Present Dangers

Is that truly the case? Part of why The Bomb seems so urgent is because we now find ourselves living through dark times. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to midnight in its history, in part because world leaders don’t seem to have the capacity to comprehend