Following nearly destroying our world, the relatives have become friends’: a gripping podcast featuring JFK & Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants.

In the month of October 1962, humanity came closer toward annihilation more so than ever during the contemporary era. This occurred when an American reconnaissance plane discovered that Soviet atomic missile sites were being built on the island of Cuba, less than 100 miles off the coast of American soil. In response, President John F Kennedy commanded a naval task force to impose a naval quarantine encircling the island. The ensuing period constituted almost 14 days filled with impossible tension.

The Catastrophic Threat

The danger remained clear. If President Kennedy, or else his Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, had fired against their enemy, a chain reaction of worldwide nuclear attacks followed by retaliatory strikes would have ensued, thrusting humanity into total ruination.

The October crisis has been examined extensively, in volumes, movies, as well as TV documentaries. However, for its third season, the audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" has brought an unprecedented dimension into the story. It is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative and Khrushchev's descendant, family members belonging to the leaders that, over two tense weeks, controlled the destiny of the planet within their grasp.

"What were the Soviet side considering? What was the American side planning?" ponders Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant and an academic of global relations.

In her view, the strength of the show is its endeavor to objectively ask: "How can individuals detest each other and go against each other?"

"I am acutely aware how spectacular it is that individuals have the potential to be friends or have the potential to be total adversaries," remarks Max Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, related to JFK and currently a writer and attorney. "History shows this dynamic over and over when nations have gone to war, highlighting the sheer folly involved to fight."

A Precipice of Catastrophe

What is remarkable about the Cuban missile crisis was that, since it transpired in the global spotlight, citizens globally could watch almost as it happened while it edged towards catastrophe. Even so, the danger of annihilation came closer than most people understood at the time.

"Virtually everyone among Kennedy's advisors wanted a military strike followed by an invasion," says Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked the Cubans with the naval blockade, it is certain Soviet forces stationed there would have deployed a nuclear warhead at the American ships, and that would've destroyed the naval vessels as well as destroyed America's largest and most important naval force. In turn, we would have responded with an overwhelming counterattack that would have ended most life on the planet."

The reality it didn’t stands as credit to both leaders, who succeeded in exercise restraint and engaging in diplomacy at a time when everyone around them demanded military action. Consequently, Khrushchev removed the missiles in Cuba and President Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew his similar weapons from NATO ally Turkey. The relief was worldwide, as was a feeling of hope.

The Different Perspective

Yet, for those 13 days in October, the anxiety was palpable by everyone. The podcast's presenters came into the world shortly after the crisis, with Nina being taught about it via the Soviet school curriculum, which painted an alternative version of events.

"You said your parent recalls it, describing it as a frightening time," she says. "But in the Soviet Union, people really didn’t know that much about it, because it was a crisis, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that things are constantly fine or positive."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, though, the perspective was different. "I was informed that it was a triumphant occasion for the USSR, as it was a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to resolve it, thus avoided a global war, which was a positive thing," she adds. Later on, however, that view was not shared by all Russians. "For a long time in Russian politics, it was considered a failure for Khrushchev, because he didn’t blow up America."

A Unlikely Partnership

This podcast is so even-handed , expertly crafted so much so that Nina quips it almost made her forget the known the ending. This effect is, in part, thanks to the participation of historians. Yet, really, the most groundbreaking thing is the participation of the descendants. Even within living memory, it was unthinkable for descendants of the leaders of the United States and Soviet Union to appear side by side. The fact that these two individuals are able to do so, and be so warm toward one another, must be seen as a symbol of progress.

"We are not the pioneers," smiles Khrushcheva. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative moved to America and became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we had never met before the podcast," adds Max. "Which is unfortunate because we connected really well and we are friends, which is really great. Finally, after nearly six decades of almost destroying the planet, our lineages are now friends, so I think the world is more secure, somewhat."

Contemporary Echoes with Present Perils

Is that truly the case? Part of why The Bomb feels so necessary is that we now find ourselves in dark times. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight in its history, in part because today's statesmen appear not to be able to grasp