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

During the month of October 1962, the world came nearer to annihilation more so than ever in the contemporary era. This occurred following the discovery that an American reconnaissance aircraft discovered the fact that Russian nuclear weapon bases were being built on Cuba, less than 160 kilometers off the coast of the United States. Reacting to this, President John F Kennedy commanded a naval task force to enact a maritime quarantine around the island. What followed constituted nearly two weeks filled with extreme tension.

An Catastrophic Threat

The threat was palpable. Should Kennedy, or else his Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack against their enemy, a series of worldwide atomic strikes and counterstrikes would have followed, casting humanity toward all-out oblivion.

The October crisis has been documented endlessly, through volumes, movies, and TV documentaries. But, for its third season, the audio documentary series The Bomb presents an unprecedented dimension into the story. The series is co-presented by Kennedy's relative alongside Khrushchev's descendant, family members belonging to the men who, over 13 days, grasped the destiny of the planet in their hands.

"What were the Soviet side planning? What were the United States planning?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant and a professor of global relations.

For her, the beauty of the podcast lies in its attempt to question: "How can nations hate each other and go against each other?"

"It struck me how remarkable it is that humans can be allies or else can become total adversaries," adds Max Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, related to the late president and currently an author as well as lawyer. "History shows this over and over when countries have gone to war, and it just illustrates the profound irrationality involved to engage in warfare."

A Precipice of Catastrophe

What is remarkable about the Cuban missile crisis was that, since it unfolded so publicly, citizens around the world could watch almost in real time while it crept towards catastrophe. Nonetheless, the threat of annihilation was more imminent than most people understood at the time.

"The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for an airstrike and a ground invasion," says Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked the Cubans using the Sixth Fleet, it is certain the Russians on the ground would've fired a tactical nuclear weapon at the US Sixth Fleet, which would have sunk the naval vessels as well as sunk America's primary naval force. In turn, we would have responded with massive retaliation which would have ended most life on Earth."

The reality this did not occur highlights the composure of both leaders, who managed to keep their heads while engaging in diplomacy at a time when many advisors in their governments were advocating military action. As a result, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the missiles in Cuba and President Kennedy (although not reported then) removed his similar weapons from NATO ally Turkey. The relief was worldwide, matched by the sense of hope.

A Different Viewpoint

Still, during those two weeks of October 1962, the fear was palpable globally. The podcast's presenters came into the world in the years following these events, and Khrushcheva being taught about the crisis via the USSR's education system, which portrayed a slightly different picture of events.

"You said your father recalls it, and it was a scary day," Khrushcheva notes. "However in the Soviet Union, people really didn’t know a great deal regarding the crisis, since it was a tense situation, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that everything was constantly fine and sunny."

Within Khrushchev’s family, though, the perspective was different. "I was informed what a great occasion it was, because it represented eyeball to eyeball. They were able to resolve it, and didn’t start a global war, which was a positive thing," she adds. Later on, though, that perspective was not shared by everybody. "For a long time in Russian politics, it was considered a failure for the Soviet leader, because he didn’t blow up the United States."

A Unlikely Collaboration

The Bomb is so balanced 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. Yet, really, the most momentous thing is the involvement of the descendants. Not so long ago, it was unthinkable for relatives of the leaders of America and Soviet Union would appear side by side. That these two individuals can do that, and be so warm toward one another, must be seen as a sign of optimism.

"Max and I aren't the pioneers," notes Nina. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle moved to America where he formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we had never met before the podcast," adds Max. "Which is unfortunate since we connected really well and now we are friends, something that is wonderful. Finally, following almost 60 years since almost destroying the world, our families have become allies, suggesting global relations is safer, somewhat."

Modern Echoes with Present Perils

Or is it? Part of why this series feels so necessary is that we once again are living in dark times. The Doomsday Clock is closer to catastrophe in its history, in part because world leaders appear not to be able to grasp