Following nearly destroying our planet, our families are allies’: a thrilling audio series from JFK & Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants.

In the month of October 1962, the planet edged nearer to ruin than at any other point during modern times. This happened when a US surveillance plane identified the fact that Soviet nuclear weapon installations were being assembled on Cuba, less than 100 miles off the coast of the US mainland. In response, U.S. President JFK commanded a naval task force to establish a naval blockade encircling the island. The next phase was nearly two weeks filled with impossible stress.

An Catastrophic Threat

The danger was clear. If President Kennedy, or the Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack on their enemy, a cascade of global nuclear attacks and retaliatory strikes might have followed, casting mankind toward all-out destruction.

The Cuban missile crisis has been examined extensively, in books, movies, as well as television programmes. But, in its latest installment, the audio documentary series The Bomb introduces a novel perspective into this historical narrative. The series is jointly hosted featuring Kennedy's relative alongside Nina Khrushcheva, family members belonging to the figures that, over 13 days, grasped the destiny of the world within their grasp.

"What were the Kremlin thinking? What were the American side considering?" asks Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter who is also a professor of international affairs.

For her, the unique appeal of the show lies in its endeavor to objectively ask: "How can individuals detest one another to the point they confront one another?"

"I am acutely aware how spectacular it is that individuals have the potential to be allies or else can become complete adversaries," remarks Max Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of the late president and currently a writer and attorney. "We see this over and over in instances where countries have gone to war, demonstrating the sheer folly it is to engage in warfare."

The Precipice Towards Disaster

What is remarkable about the Cuban missile crisis is that, since it transpired so publicly, individuals worldwide could watch nearly in real time as it moved closer to disaster. However, the risk of annihilation was more imminent than what most people understood at the time.

"The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors wanted an airstrike followed by a ground invasion," explains Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck Cuba using the naval blockade, there is no question the Russians stationed there would have launched a nuclear warhead against the US Sixth Fleet, which would've sunk the naval vessels as well as destroyed America's primary naval force. And, the U.S. would have responded with an overwhelming counterattack that would have ended most life on Earth."

The fact this did not occur is a testament to both leaders, they managed to remain calm while calmly negotiate when many advisors around them were advocating action. Consequently, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the missiles from Cuba and Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) removed his missiles based in NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was immense, matched by the sense of optimism.

A Different Viewpoint

Still, during those two weeks of October 1962, the tension was felt by everyone. The podcast's co-hosts were born shortly after these events, with Khrushcheva being taught about the crisis through the USSR's school curriculum, which presented an alternative narrative of what happened.

"You said your parent recalls it, describing it as a frightening day," Khrushcheva notes. "But for Soviet citizens, the public were largely unaware a great deal about it, since it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system the official line was that things are always fine and positive."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, though, the perspective was distinct. "I was informed that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, as it represented a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to resolve it, and didn’t start a global war, which was a positive thing," she continues. In the years to come, however, that interpretation would not be held by all Russians. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a defeat for Khrushchev, because he didn’t blow up America."

A Unlikely Collaboration

The Bomb is remarkably even-handed , expertly crafted that Nina jokes it almost made her forget the known the ending. This is, partly, thanks to contributions from renowned scholars. But, really, the most momentous aspect remains the participation of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it was inconceivable for descendants of the heads of state of America and Soviet Union to appear together publicly. The fact that these two individuals are able to do so, and be so warm with each other, must be seen as a sign of hope.

"Max and I are not the pioneers," smiles Khrushcheva. "After 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he became great friends with the former president's family."

"However we were strangers before the podcast," clarifies Kennedy. "That is a shame since we connected immediately and now we are friends, which is really great. Finally, following nearly 60 years of almost destroying the world, our families are now friends, suggesting the world is more secure, somewhat."

Modern Parallels with Current Dangers

Or is it? Part of why this series seems so urgent is because we now find ourselves living through dark times. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to catastrophe in its history, partly since today's statesmen appear not to be able to grasp