Following nearly destroying our world, our families have become friends’: the gripping audio series from John F. Kennedy and Khrushchev’s relatives.

During the month of October 1962, the planet came nearer to destruction than at any other point in recent history. This happened after a US surveillance aircraft identified that Russian atomic missile sites were under construction on the island of Cuba, less than 160 kilometers off the coast of the US mainland. Reacting to this, U.S. President John F Kennedy commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a naval blockade around the island. The next phase constituted nearly two weeks filled with unbearable tension.

The Catastrophic Threat

The threat remained obvious. If President Kennedy, or his Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire on the other side, a series involving global nuclear strikes followed by retaliatory strikes would have ensued, thrusting humanity into all-out ruination.

The Cuban missile crisis has been covered repeatedly, in volumes, films, and TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, a prominent audio documentary series The Bomb presents a completely new dimension to this historical narrative. It is jointly hosted by Kennedy's relative alongside Khrushchev's descendant, family members belonging to the men that, over two tense weeks, grasped the fate of humanity in their hands.

"What were the Russians thinking? What was the United States considering?" asks Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant and an academic of international affairs.

In her view, the unique appeal of the podcast lies in its endeavor to explore: "How can nations detest one another and oppose each other?"

"It was not lost on me how profound it is that humans can be friends or have the potential to be complete enemies," adds Kennedy, son of RFK, related to JFK and currently an author as well as lawyer. "We see this dynamic over and over when nations have gone to war, demonstrating the sheer folly it is to fight."

A Brink of Catastrophe

What is notable about this event is that, since it transpired so publicly, citizens globally were able to observe nearly as it happened as it crept towards disaster. Nonetheless, the danger of destruction was more imminent than what anybody understood at the time.

"The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for a military strike followed by a ground invasion," explains Kennedy. "If we had attacked Cuba using the Sixth Fleet, there is no question the Russians on the ground would have launched a tactical nuclear weapon at the American ships, which would have destroyed the naval vessels and destroyed America's largest and most important fleet. In turn, we would have retaliated with an overwhelming counterattack which would have eradicated all life on the planet."

The fact this did not occur is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they managed to remain calm and calmly negotiate when many advisors in their governments were advocating military action. As a result, The Soviet premier removed the missiles in the Caribbean island while President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) withdrew his missiles based in Turkey. The sense of relief was palpable, matched by the sense of hope.

A Different Viewpoint

Still, during those 13 days in October, the anxiety was palpable by everyone. The podcast's presenters came into the world in the years following the crisis, with Nina being taught about the crisis through the Soviet education system, which presented a slightly different narrative of events.

"As you mentioned your parent recalls it, describing it as a scary time," she says. "But in the Soviet Union, the public were largely unaware that much regarding the crisis, since it was a tense situation, and under the Soviet system we were told that everything was constantly fine and sunny."

Within Khrushchev’s family, though, it was distinct. "I was informed that it was a triumphant occasion it was, as it was a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to find a solution, thus avoided a global war, which was a wonderful outcome," she adds. Subsequently, however, that perspective was not shared by all Russians. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a setback for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up America."

A Unlikely Collaboration

This podcast is so even-handed , expertly crafted so much so that Khrushcheva quips she nearly forgot the known the ending. This effect is, in part, due to the participation of historians. But, truly, the most groundbreaking aspect is the participation of the descendants. Not so long ago, it was inconceivable that relatives of the heads of state of the United States and the Soviet Union would appear together publicly. That these two individuals are able to do so, and be so warm with each other, has to be a sign of optimism.

"Max and I are not the pioneers," smiles Nina. "After 1991, a relative moved to America where he formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"But we had never met before the podcast," clarifies Max. "That is unfortunate because we connected really well and we’re friends, something that is really great. Ultimately, after almost 60 years of nearly annihilating the world, our lineages have become allies, so I think global relations is more secure, somewhat."

Contemporary Parallels and Present Perils

Or is it? Part of why this series seems so urgent is that we now are living in dark times. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to catastrophe than ever before, partly since world leaders appear not to be able to comprehend