Following almost destroying the planet, the families are friends’: the thrilling podcast from John F. Kennedy and Khrushchev’s descendants.

In October 1962, humanity edged closer to annihilation more so than ever in the contemporary era. This transpired after an American surveillance aircraft identified the fact that Soviet nuclear weapon sites were being assembled in Cuba, less than 100 miles off the coast of the US mainland. In response, President JFK directed the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to enact a maritime quarantine encircling Cuba. What followed constituted almost two weeks filled with unbearable stress.

The Unthinkable Danger

The threat remained obvious. If President Kennedy, or else the Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack against their enemy, a series involving worldwide nuclear attacks followed by counterstrikes might have followed, thrusting mankind into total oblivion.

The Cuban missile crisis has been documented repeatedly, in volumes, films, as well as TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, the audio documentary series The Bomb presents an unprecedented dimension into this historical narrative. It is co-presented by Max Kennedy and Khrushchev's descendant, relatives of the leaders who, for two tense weeks, grasped the destiny of humanity in their hands.

"What were the Soviet side considering? What were Washington planning?" ponders Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter who is also a professor specializing in international affairs.

For her, the beauty of the show lies in its endeavor to explore: "How can people hate one another and go against one another?"

"It struck me how profound the fact that individuals have the potential to be allies or else have the potential to be complete enemies," states Max Kennedy, son of RFK, nephew of JFK and currently a writer and attorney. "History shows this dynamic repeatedly in instances where countries have gone to war, and it just illustrates the sheer folly it is to engage in warfare."

The Precipice of Catastrophe

What is striking about this event was that, because it unfolded so publicly, citizens globally could watch almost as it happened as it crept towards armageddon. However, the threat of destruction was more imminent than what most people understood at the time.

"The overwhelming majority in the White House wanted an airstrike followed by an invasion," explains Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked the Cubans with the Sixth Fleet, there is no question Soviet forces on the ground would've launched a nuclear warhead at the American ships, which would've obliterated our aircraft carriers as well as destroyed America's largest and most important naval force. In turn, the U.S. would have retaliated with an overwhelming counterattack that would have eradicated all life on the planet."

The reality it didn’t is a testament to both leaders, they succeeded in exercise restraint and calmly negotiate at a time when everyone around them demanded military action. Consequently, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons in Cuba while President Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew American similar weapons from Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, as was the sense of optimism.

A Different Perspective

Still, for those 13 days in October, the anxiety was felt by everyone. The podcast's presenters were born shortly after these events, with Nina being taught about it through the USSR's school curriculum, which portrayed an alternative version of events.

"As you mentioned your parent remembers it, describing it as a scary time," she says. "However for Soviet citizens, the public were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, since it was a tense situation, and in the Soviet Union we were told that things are always wonderful or sunny."

Within Khrushchev’s family, however, the perspective was distinct. "They told me that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, as it was a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to resolve it, thus didn’t start a global war, which was a positive outcome," she continues. Subsequently, however, that interpretation was not held by all Russians. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a setback for the Soviet leader, simply he didn’t blow up the United States."

A Unlikely Partnership

This podcast is so balanced , well produced so much so that Nina quips it almost made her forget she already knew outcome. This is, partly, due to the participation of historians. Yet, really, the most momentous aspect remains the involvement of the descendants. Not so long ago, it would be inconceivable that relatives of the leaders of America and the USSR to appear side by side. That these two individuals are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, must be seen as a symbol of optimism.

"We are not the first," smiles Nina. "After 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son and became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we had never met before the podcast," adds Max. "Which is unfortunate since we connected immediately and we’re friends, something that is really great. Finally, after nearly 60 years since almost destroying the world, our lineages are now friends, so I think the world is safer, a little bit."

Contemporary Echoes with Current Perils

Or is it? Part of why The Bomb seems so urgent is because we now are living in dark times. The Doomsday Clock is closer to catastrophe in its history, partly since world leaders don’t seem to have the capacity to grasp