Following almost annihilating our world, our relatives have become allies’: the gripping podcast featuring John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s relatives.

In the month of October 1962, the world came closer toward destruction more so than ever during recent history. This occurred when a US reconnaissance plane discovered the fact that Soviet nuclear weapon sites were under construction in Cuba, a mere 100 miles off the coast of the US mainland. Reacting to this, U.S. President JFK ordered the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to enact a naval blockade encircling Cuba. The ensuing period was nearly two weeks filled with unbearable anxiety.

The Unthinkable Danger

The danger was obvious. If Kennedy, or else the Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack against the other side, a chain reaction of worldwide atomic attacks followed by counterstrikes might have ensued, thrusting mankind toward total destruction.

This pivotal 1962 event has been covered repeatedly, in books, movies, as well as TV documentaries. But, for its third season, a prominent audio documentary series The Bomb presents a completely new dimension into the story. It is co-presented featuring Max Kennedy and Khrushchev's descendant, family members belonging to the men that, over two tense weeks, held the fate of the world in their hands.

"What was the Russians considering? What were Washington planning?" ponders Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant and a professor of global relations.

In her view, the unique appeal of the podcast lies in its endeavor to question: "Why do people hate one another and oppose one another?"

"It struck me how remarkable the fact that individuals can be allies or have the potential to be total adversaries," states Max Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, related to the late president and now a writer and lawyer. "History shows this dynamic over and over when nations have gone to war, highlighting how unbelievably stupid involved to engage in warfare."

The Precipice Towards Disaster

What’s striking about the Cuban missile crisis was that, because it unfolded so publicly, individuals around the world could watch almost in real time as it moved towards disaster. However, the risk of annihilation came closer than what most people understood at the time.

"Virtually everyone in the White House were advocating for an airstrike followed by a ground invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck Cuba with the Sixth Fleet, undoubtedly the Russians on the ground would have deployed a tactical nuclear weapon against the American ships, which would've obliterated our naval vessels as well as destroyed America's primary naval force. In turn, the U.S. would have responded through massive retaliation which would have ended most life on Earth."

The fact it didn’t is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, who managed to keep their heads while calmly negotiate when many advisors in their governments demanded military action. As a result, The Soviet premier removed the nuclear weapons in the Caribbean island while President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) withdrew his missiles based in NATO ally Turkey. The relief was immense, matched by a feeling of hope.

A Divergent Perspective

Still, during those two weeks in October, the fear was felt by everyone. The podcast's presenters came into the world in the years following these events, with Khrushcheva being taught about the crisis via the USSR's education system, which presented an alternative narrative of events.

"You said your father recalls it, describing it as a frightening day," she says. "But for Soviet citizens, the public really didn’t know that much regarding the crisis, since it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that things are constantly fine or sunny."

Within Khrushchev’s family, though, it was different. "They told me what a great moment it was, because it was eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to resolve it, and avoided the war, which was a wonderful outcome," she continues. Subsequently, though, that interpretation was not shared by all Russians. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a defeat for Khrushchev, because he didn’t blow up the United States."

An Unprecedented Partnership

The Bomb is so balanced , well produced so much so that Nina quips she nearly forgot the known outcome. This is, partly, thanks to the participation of renowned scholars. Yet, truly, the most momentous thing is the involvement of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it would be unthinkable that relatives of the heads of state of America and Soviet Union to appear side by side. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and be so warm with each other, has to be a sign of progress.

"Max and I are not the first," notes Khrushcheva. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he became great friends with the former president's family."

"But we were strangers before the podcast," clarifies Max. "Which is unfortunate because we connected really well and we’re friends, something that is really great. Finally, following almost 60 years since almost destroying the planet, our lineages are now friends, suggesting the world is more secure, a little bit."

Contemporary Echoes with Current Dangers

Is that truly the case? One reason why this series seems so urgent is that we once again find ourselves living through dark times. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight than ever before, in part because world leaders don’t seem to be able to grasp