Following almost destroying our world, our families have become allies’: the gripping podcast featuring JFK and Khrushchev’s descendants.

In the month of October 1962, the planet veered closer to annihilation more so than ever during recent history. This happened after an American surveillance plane identified the fact that Soviet nuclear weapon sites were being built in the island of Cuba, a mere 100 miles from American soil. Reacting to this, U.S. President JFK ordered the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a naval quarantine encircling Cuba. The ensuing period was nearly 14 days filled with extreme stress.

An Unthinkable Danger

The peril was clear. If Kennedy, or else his Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire on the other side, a series of global nuclear attacks and retaliatory strikes could have ensued, casting civilization toward all-out oblivion.

This pivotal 1962 event has been examined endlessly, through books, films, and TV documentaries. But, for its third season, a prominent audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" presents an unprecedented element into the story. It is jointly hosted by Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva, family members belonging to the leaders that, for 13 days, controlled the fate of the planet in their hands.

"What were the Kremlin thinking? What were the United States thinking?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter who is also a professor of international affairs.

For her, the unique appeal of the podcast lies in its attempt to question: "Why do nations hate one another and go against each other?"

"It was not lost on me how spectacular it is that humans have the potential to be allies or else can become total enemies," states Kennedy, son of RFK, related to JFK and currently a writer as well as lawyer. "We see this dynamic over and over in instances where nations have gone to war, highlighting how unbelievably stupid it is to engage in warfare."

The Brink of Catastrophe

What’s notable regarding the Cuban missile crisis is that, because it unfolded so publicly, citizens around the world could watch nearly in real time as it moved towards disaster. However, the danger of destruction came closer than anybody understood at the time.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for an airstrike and a ground invasion," says Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck the Cubans with the naval blockade, undoubtedly Soviet forces on the ground would have fired a nuclear warhead against the US Sixth Fleet, and that would've sunk the naval vessels as well as destroyed our primary naval force. And, the U.S. would have retaliated with an overwhelming counterattack which would have eradicated most life on the planet."

The fact it didn’t stands as credit to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they succeeded in exercise restraint while calmly negotiate at a time when hawkish elements in their governments were advocating action. Consequently, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the missiles in the Caribbean island and Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) withdrew American missiles based in Turkey. The relief was palpable, as was the sense of hope.

A Divergent Perspective

Yet, during those 13 days in October, the tension was felt by everyone. The podcast's co-hosts came into the world in the years following these events, and Nina learned about it through the USSR's education system, which painted an alternative picture of events.

"You said your parent remembers it, describing it as a scary day," Khrushcheva notes. "But in the Soviet Union, the public were largely unaware that much regarding the crisis, because it was a crisis, whereas in the Soviet Union the official line was that things are always wonderful and positive."

Inside the Khrushchev household, however, the perspective was different. "I was informed what a great moment it was, because it represented eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to find a solution, and didn’t start the war, which was a positive thing," she continues. Later on, however, that view was not shared by all Russians. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a setback for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up the United States."

A Unprecedented Collaboration

The Bomb is so even-handed and expertly crafted that Khrushcheva quips she nearly forgot she already knew the ending. This is, in part, due to the participation of historians. Yet, truly, the most significant thing remains the involvement of the descendants. Not so long ago, it was inconceivable for relatives of the leaders of America and the USSR would appear side by side. That these two individuals are able to do so, and be so warm with each other, must be seen as a sign of hope.

"We aren't the pioneers," smiles Khrushcheva. "Following 1991, a relative moved to America and became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we were strangers prior to this project," clarifies Max. "Which is a shame since we got along really well and now we’re friends, something that is wonderful. Ultimately, after nearly six decades of nearly annihilating the world, our families have become friends, so I think global relations is more secure, a little bit."

Contemporary Echoes with Current Dangers

Is that truly the case? Part of why this series feels so necessary is because we once again are living living through dark times. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight in its history, partly since today's statesmen don’t seem to be able to grasp