‘After almost destroying the planet, our families are allies’: the thrilling podcast featuring JFK and Khrushchev’s descendants.

In the month of October 1962, humanity veered nearer to destruction more so than ever in recent history. This happened when a US surveillance plane found that Soviet nuclear weapon sites were under construction on Cuba, a mere 100 miles from the US mainland. In response, President John F Kennedy commanded a naval task force to enact a maritime quarantine encircling Cuba. What followed constituted nearly two weeks of unbearable tension.

An Catastrophic Threat

The danger remained palpable. If Kennedy, or else the Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire on their enemy, a cascade involving global atomic strikes followed by retaliatory strikes would have followed, casting humanity toward total ruination.

This pivotal 1962 event has been examined endlessly, through books, films, as well as TV documentaries. However, in its latest installment, a prominent audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" introduces a novel perspective into the story. The series is jointly hosted by Kennedy's relative alongside Nina Khrushcheva, family members belonging to the figures that, over two tense weeks, controlled the fate of the world within their grasp.

"What were the Russians thinking? What was Washington thinking?" asks Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant who is also an academic specializing in global relations.

In her view, the strength of the podcast lies in its attempt to objectively ask: "Why do nations hate each other to the point they oppose one another?"

"It struck me how profound the fact that individuals have the potential to be friends or can become total adversaries," states Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, related to JFK and now an author and lawyer. "History shows this over and over when countries have gone to war, demonstrating how unbelievably stupid involved to engage in warfare."

The Brink of Catastrophe

What’s remarkable about this event is that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, individuals worldwide were able to observe almost in real time as it edged towards catastrophe. Nonetheless, the threat of annihilation was more imminent than what most people realised.

"Almost all officials in the White House were advocating for an airstrike followed by an invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "If we had attacked Cuba with the naval blockade, undoubtedly Soviet forces stationed there would've launched a nuclear warhead against the US Sixth Fleet, and that would have destroyed the aircraft carriers as well as destroyed America's largest and most important naval force. And, we would have responded with massive retaliation that would have ended most life on Earth."

The fact it didn’t is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, who managed to keep their heads while calmly negotiate when hawkish elements in their governments were advocating action. As a result, Khrushchev removed the missiles in the Caribbean island while Kennedy (although not reported at the time) removed American missiles based in Turkey. The sense of relief was palpable, as was a feeling of optimism.

A Different Viewpoint

Yet, for those 13 days in October, the tension was palpable by everyone. The podcast's co-hosts came into the world shortly after the crisis, with Nina being taught about it via the Soviet school curriculum, which portrayed an alternative narrative of what happened.

"You said your parent recalls it, describing it as a frightening time," she says. "However for Soviet citizens, the public were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, since it was a tense situation, and under the Soviet system the official line was that everything was always wonderful or positive."

Within the Khrushchev household, however, it was distinct. "I was informed that it was a triumphant occasion for the USSR, because it was a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, and didn’t start a global war, which was a positive thing," she continues. Subsequently, however, that view was not shared by everybody. "For decades in Russian politics, it was considered a defeat for the Soviet leader, because he refrained from destroying America."

A Unprecedented Collaboration

This podcast is remarkably balanced , expertly crafted so much so that Nina quips it almost made her forget she already knew the ending. This effect is, in part, due to contributions from historians. Yet, really, the most significant aspect is the participation of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it would be inconceivable for descendants of the heads of state of the United States and the USSR would appear side by side. That these two individuals are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, has to be a symbol of progress.

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

"However we were strangers before the podcast," adds Max. "Which is unfortunate because we connected really well and we’re friends, something that is really great. Ultimately, following almost 60 years of almost destroying the planet, our families are now allies, so I think the world is more secure, a little bit."

Modern Parallels and Present Dangers

Or is it? One reason why The Bomb feels so necessary is because we once again find ourselves living through a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight than ever before, partly since world leaders appear not to have the capacity to comprehend