Following almost destroying our planet, our relatives have become friends’: the thrilling podcast featuring John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s relatives.

During the month of October 1962, the world came nearer to annihilation more so than ever in the contemporary era. This occurred following the discovery that an American surveillance plane found that Russian nuclear missile bases were under construction in Cuba, less than 100 miles off the coast of the United States. In response, U.S. President JFK commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to establish a maritime quarantine around the island. The next phase was almost two weeks of unbearable stress.

An Catastrophic Threat

The peril was palpable. If Kennedy, or else his Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire on the other side, a series of worldwide atomic attacks followed by counterstrikes might have ensued, casting humanity toward all-out ruination.

The Cuban missile crisis has been documented endlessly, through volumes, films, and TV documentaries. However, in its latest installment, the audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" introduces a novel perspective to the story. The series is co-presented by Max Kennedy and Khrushchev's descendant, family members of the figures that, over two tense weeks, grasped the destiny of the planet within their grasp.

"What were the Soviet side planning? What was Washington considering?" ponders Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter and a professor of global relations.

For her, the beauty of the podcast is its endeavor to objectively ask: "How can nations detest one another to the point they go against one another?"

"It was not lost on me how spectacular it is that individuals have the potential to be friends or else can become total enemies," adds Kennedy, son of RFK, related to the late president and now an author as well as attorney. "History shows this dynamic over and over in instances where countries enter into conflict, demonstrating the sheer folly involved to engage in warfare."

A Precipice Towards Disaster

What’s notable about this event is that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, citizens worldwide were able to observe almost as it happened while it moved towards armageddon. However, the danger of annihilation came closer than what most people understood at the time.

"Almost all officials in the White House were advocating for an airstrike and a ground invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck the Cubans using the Sixth Fleet, undoubtedly Soviet forces on the ground would have launched a nuclear warhead at the American ships, and that would've obliterated our naval vessels and sunk our primary fleet. And, the U.S. would have retaliated with an overwhelming counterattack that would have ended all life on Earth."

The reality this did not occur stands as credit to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they managed to keep their heads and calmly negotiate when many advisors in their governments demanded military action. Consequently, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the missiles in the Caribbean island and President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) removed American missiles from Turkey. The sense of relief was immense, as was a feeling of optimism.

The Different Perspective

Yet, for those two weeks in October, the fear was felt globally. The Bomb’s presenters were born in the years following the crisis, and Khrushcheva learned about it through the Soviet school curriculum, which presented a slightly different version of events.

"You said your father remembers it, and it was a frightening day," Khrushcheva notes. "But for Soviet citizens, people really didn’t know that much about it, because it was a tense situation, and under the Soviet system we were told that everything was always fine and sunny."

Within Khrushchev’s family, though, the perspective was distinct. "They told me that it was a triumphant moment it was, as it was a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to find a solution, and avoided the war, which was a wonderful thing," she adds. Later on, though, that view was not held by all Russians. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a failure for Khrushchev, because he didn’t blow up America."

An Unprecedented Collaboration

The Bomb is remarkably balanced and well produced so much so that Khrushcheva quips she nearly forgot the known the ending. This effect is, partly, thanks to contributions from historians. Yet, truly, the most significant aspect remains the involvement of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it was inconceivable for relatives of the heads of state of America and Soviet Union would appear side by side. The fact that these two individuals can do that, and be so warm with each other, has to be a sign of progress.

"Max and I aren't the pioneers," notes Nina. "Following 1991, my uncle moved to America and formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we had never met prior to this project," clarifies Kennedy. "That is unfortunate because we got along really well and we’re friends, which is really great. Finally, after almost six decades since almost destroying the planet, our lineages are now friends, so I think global relations is more secure, somewhat."

Modern Parallels with Current Dangers

Or is it? One reason why The Bomb feels so necessary is because we once again find ourselves in dark times. The Doomsday Clock is closer to catastrophe in its history, partly since today's statesmen appear not to be able to grasp