Following almost destroying our planet, the relatives are allies’: the thrilling podcast featuring JFK and Khrushchev’s descendants.

During the month of October 1962, humanity came nearer to annihilation than at any other point in modern times. This transpired following the discovery that a US surveillance plane discovered the fact that Soviet nuclear missile bases were being built in Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers from the United States. In response, U.S. President JFK commanded a naval task force to enact a naval blockade encircling the island. The next phase was nearly two weeks of extreme stress.

An Catastrophic Threat

The danger remained palpable. If President Kennedy, or else the Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire against the other side, a cascade of worldwide atomic strikes and counterstrikes could have followed, casting humanity toward all-out oblivion.

The October crisis has been documented repeatedly, through volumes, films, as well as TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, a prominent audio documentary series The Bomb has brought an unprecedented dimension into this historical narrative. It is co-presented by Max Kennedy and Khrushchev's descendant, family members belonging to the leaders that, over two tense weeks, controlled the fate of the planet within their grasp.

"What was the Kremlin planning? What were the American side thinking?" asks Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter who is also an academic specializing in global relations.

For her, the unique appeal of the podcast lies in its endeavor to question: "How can nations hate one another and confront one another?"

"It was not lost on me how profound it is that people can be allies or else have the potential to be complete adversaries," states Max Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of JFK and now an author and lawyer. "We see this repeatedly when nations have gone to war, highlighting the profound irrationality involved to fight."

A Brink of Catastrophe

What is notable about the Cuban missile crisis was that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, people worldwide were able to observe almost in real time as it edged towards armageddon. Even so, the danger of annihilation came closer than anybody realised.

"Virtually everyone in the White House were advocating for a military strike followed by an invasion," says Kennedy. "If we had struck the Cubans using the Sixth Fleet, it is certain the Russians on the ground would've fired a nuclear warhead at the US Sixth Fleet, which would have obliterated our naval vessels and destroyed our primary fleet. And, we would have responded with massive retaliation that would have ended most life on Earth."

The fact this did not occur stands as credit to Kennedy and Khrushchev, who managed to exercise restraint and calmly negotiate at a time when hawkish elements around them was pushing for military action. As a result, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the missiles from the Caribbean island while President Kennedy (although not reported at the time) removed American missiles based in NATO ally Turkey. The relief was immense, as was the sense of optimism.

A Different Viewpoint

Still, for those 13 days of October 1962, the tension was felt globally. The podcast's presenters came into the world in the years following the crisis, and Nina being taught about it via the USSR's education system, which portrayed a slightly different picture of what happened.

"As you mentioned your parent recalls it, describing it as a scary day," Khrushcheva notes. "However for Soviet citizens, people really didn’t know a great deal about it, because it was a crisis, and under the Soviet system the official line was that things are always wonderful or positive."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, though, the perspective was distinct. "I was informed what a great occasion it was, because it represented a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to find a solution, thus didn’t start the war, which was a wonderful thing," she adds. In the years to come, though, that view would not be held by everybody. "For a long time in Russian politics, it was considered a failure for Khrushchev, because he refrained from destroying America."

A Unprecedented Partnership

The Bomb is so even-handed and expertly crafted that Khrushcheva quips it almost made her forget the known outcome. This effect is, partly, due to the participation of renowned scholars. But, really, the most momentous aspect is the participation of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it was inconceivable for descendants of the heads of state of the United States and Soviet Union to appear together publicly. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and be so warm with each other, has to be a sign of hope.

"Max and I are not the first," smiles Nina. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle moved to America where he formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"But we were strangers before the podcast," clarifies Kennedy. "Which is a shame because we connected really well and we’re friends, something that is wonderful. Finally, after almost 60 years of nearly annihilating the planet, our lineages are now friends, so I think the world is more secure, somewhat."

Modern Echoes with Current Perils

Or is it? Part of why this series seems so urgent is because we once again find ourselves living through dark times. The Doomsday Clock is closer to catastrophe in its history, in part because world leaders appear not to have the capacity to learn