‘After almost destroying our planet, our families have become friends’: a gripping podcast featuring John F. Kennedy and Khrushchev’s relatives.

During October 1962, the world edged closer to ruin than at any other point in recent history. This transpired following the discovery that a US reconnaissance aircraft discovered the fact that Russian nuclear weapon bases were under construction on the island of Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers off the coast of American soil. Reacting to this, U.S. President JFK commanded a naval task force to establish a maritime blockade around Cuba. The next phase was nearly a fortnight filled with unbearable stress.

An Unthinkable Threat

The danger remained clear. If President Kennedy, or else his Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack against their enemy, a cascade of global nuclear strikes followed by counterstrikes could have followed, plunging civilization toward total destruction.

The October crisis has been examined extensively, through books, movies, and TV documentaries. But, for its third season, a prominent audio documentary series The Bomb has brought a novel dimension into the story. The series is co-presented by Kennedy's relative and Khrushchev's descendant, relatives of the men who, over two tense weeks, controlled the destiny of humanity within their grasp.

"What were the Russians planning? What were the United States considering?" asks Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter who is also a professor specializing in global relations.

In her view, the unique appeal of the podcast lies in its endeavor to explore: "How can people hate one another and go against one another?"

"I am acutely aware how remarkable it is that individuals can be allies or else can become total adversaries," adds Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of the late president and currently an author and lawyer. "We see this dynamic over and over in instances where nations have gone to war, and it just illustrates how unbelievably stupid involved to fight."

The Precipice Towards Catastrophe

What is striking about this event was that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, individuals worldwide were able to observe almost as it happened while it edged closer to armageddon. Nonetheless, the danger of destruction came closer than what anybody realised.

"The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for a military strike and an invasion," explains Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck the Cubans with the naval blockade, undoubtedly Soviet forces stationed there would've fired a tactical nuclear weapon against the US Sixth Fleet, and that would've destroyed the aircraft carriers as well as destroyed our largest and most important naval force. In turn, the U.S. would have responded with massive retaliation which would have eradicated most life on Earth."

The fact this did not occur is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they succeeded in keep their heads while calmly negotiate at a time when everyone around them were advocating military action. As a result, Khrushchev removed the missiles from Cuba and Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew his missiles based in NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was palpable, matched by the sense of hope.

A Different Viewpoint

Still, for those 13 days of October 1962, the tension was felt globally. The podcast's co-hosts came into the world shortly after these events, with Khrushcheva learned about the crisis via the Soviet education system, which portrayed a slightly different narrative of events.

"You said your parent remembers it, and it was a frightening time," she says. "However for Soviet citizens, the public were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, since it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that things are always wonderful or sunny."

Inside the Khrushchev household, though, the perspective was different. "They told me what a great occasion it was, as it was a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to find a solution, thus didn’t start a global war, which was a positive thing," she adds. Later on, though, that perspective would not be shared by all Russians. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a defeat for the Soviet leader, simply he refrained from destroying America."

A Unlikely Partnership

This podcast is remarkably balanced , expertly crafted so much so that Khrushcheva quips she nearly forgot the known the ending. This effect is, partly, due to contributions from historians. But, really, the most groundbreaking thing is the involvement of the descendants. Not so long ago, it would be unthinkable for relatives of the heads of state of the United States and Soviet Union would appear together publicly. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and be so warm toward one another, must be seen as a symbol of hope.

"We aren't the first," notes Nina. "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 Max. "That is a shame since we connected really well and now we are friends, something that is really great. Ultimately, after almost 60 years of nearly annihilating the planet, our families are now allies, so I think global relations is safer, somewhat."

Modern Parallels and Present Perils

Or is it? Part of the reason this series seems so urgent is because we now are living in a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight than ever before, partly since world leaders don’t seem to have the capacity to comprehend