‘After almost destroying our planet, the relatives have become allies’: a gripping podcast from JFK & Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

During October 1962, the world edged nearer to annihilation more so than ever in modern times. This transpired following the discovery that a US surveillance aircraft found that Soviet nuclear missile installations were being assembled in the island of Cuba, a mere 100 miles from American soil. Reacting to this, President John F Kennedy commanded a naval task force to enact a naval quarantine around Cuba. The next phase was nearly 14 days filled with impossible tension.

An Unthinkable Danger

The peril remained palpable. Should President Kennedy, or his Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire against the other side, a series of global atomic attacks and counterstrikes could have followed, thrusting humanity into total destruction.

This pivotal 1962 event has been covered repeatedly, through books, movies, as well as TV documentaries. However, in its latest installment, the audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" has brought a novel perspective into the story. It is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative and Khrushchev's descendant, family members belonging to the men that, over two tense weeks, grasped the fate of humanity within their grasp.

"What was the Russians considering? What were Washington considering?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant who is also a professor specializing in international affairs.

In her view, the unique appeal of the podcast lies in its endeavor to question: "How can people detest one another to the point they confront one another?"

"I am acutely aware how remarkable the fact that humans have the potential to be allies or can become total enemies," states Kennedy, the son of RFK, related to JFK and now a writer and lawyer. "We see this over and over in instances where nations enter into conflict, demonstrating how unbelievably stupid it is to engage in warfare."

The Brink of Disaster

What is remarkable about the Cuban missile crisis was that, because it unfolded in the global spotlight, individuals worldwide could watch almost as it happened while it moved towards catastrophe. However, the threat of annihilation was more imminent than anybody understood at the time.

"The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors wanted an airstrike followed by an invasion," notes Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck Cuba using the Sixth Fleet, there is no question Soviet forces on the ground would've launched a nuclear warhead against the American ships, and that would have sunk our naval vessels and sunk our primary fleet. And, we would have responded with massive retaliation which would have ended all life on the planet."

The reality this did not occur stands as credit to Kennedy and Khrushchev, who succeeded in keep their heads while engaging in diplomacy when everyone around them was pushing for military action. As a result, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the missiles from Cuba and Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew American missiles based in NATO ally Turkey. The relief was worldwide, matched by the sense of optimism.

A Divergent Perspective

Still, during those 13 days of October 1962, the fear was felt globally. The Bomb’s presenters were born shortly after the crisis, with Nina learned about it via the USSR's school curriculum, which presented an alternative version of what happened.

"As you mentioned your parent remembers it, describing it as a scary day," Khrushcheva notes. "But in the Soviet Union, people were largely unaware that much about it, because it was a tense situation, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that everything was always fine and sunny."

Within the Khrushchev household, though, the perspective was distinct. "They told me what a great moment it was, as it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to find a solution, thus avoided the war, which was a positive outcome," she adds. Subsequently, though, that interpretation was not shared by everybody. "For a long time in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a defeat for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up America."

An Unlikely Collaboration

The Bomb is remarkably even-handed , expertly crafted so much so that Khrushcheva quips she nearly forgot the known the ending. This is, in part, thanks to the participation of historians. Yet, truly, the most momentous thing is the involvement of the descendants. Even within living memory, it was inconceivable that relatives of the leaders of the United States and USSR to appear side by side. The fact that these two individuals can do that, and exhibit such warmth with each other, must be seen as a symbol of hope.

"We are not the pioneers," smiles Khrushcheva. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he became great friends with the former president's family."

"But we were strangers before the podcast," clarifies Max. "That is unfortunate since we got along really well and we are friends, which is really great. Ultimately, after almost six decades of almost destroying the world, our families are now friends, so I think the world is more secure, a little bit."

Contemporary Echoes with Present Perils

Is that truly the case? Part of the reason this series feels so necessary is that we now are living living through dark times. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight in its history, partly since today's statesmen appear not to have the capacity to grasp