Following almost destroying the planet, the relatives are friends’: the gripping podcast from JFK and Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

In the month of October 1962, the world edged closer to destruction more so than ever during the contemporary era. This occurred after an American reconnaissance plane identified that Soviet atomic weapon bases were under construction on Cuba, less than 100 miles from the US mainland. Reacting to this, U.S. President John F Kennedy commanded a naval task force to establish a naval blockade encircling the island. The ensuing period was nearly 14 days of extreme stress.

An Catastrophic Threat

The threat remained palpable. Should President Kennedy, or else his Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, had fired on their enemy, a cascade of worldwide nuclear attacks and retaliatory strikes would have ensued, casting humanity into all-out oblivion.

The October crisis has been documented repeatedly, in books, movies, and television programmes. But, in its latest installment, the audio documentary series The Bomb introduces a novel dimension into this historical narrative. It is jointly hosted featuring Kennedy's relative alongside Khrushchev's descendant, family members belonging to the men who, for two tense weeks, controlled the destiny of humanity in their hands.

"What were the Kremlin planning? What were Washington planning?" asks Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant and an academic of international affairs.

For her, the beauty of the show is its endeavor to question: "How can nations detest one another to the point they oppose one another?"

"It was not lost on me how profound the fact that individuals can be friends or else have the potential to be complete enemies," states Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of JFK and currently an author and lawyer. "We see this dynamic repeatedly when countries enter into conflict, highlighting the sheer folly it is to fight."

A Precipice Towards Catastrophe

What’s remarkable regarding the Cuban missile crisis was that, because it unfolded so publicly, individuals worldwide could watch almost as it happened while it moved closer to catastrophe. However, the threat of destruction came closer than what anybody realised.

"Almost all officials in the White House wanted a military strike followed by an invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck the Cubans using the naval blockade, it is certain the Russians on the ground would've fired a tactical nuclear weapon against the American ships, which would've sunk the naval vessels as well as destroyed our primary fleet. And, the U.S. would have responded with massive retaliation that would have ended most life on the planet."

The reality it didn’t is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they managed to keep their heads and engaging in diplomacy at a time when everyone around them demanded military action. As a result, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons from Cuba and Kennedy (although not reported at the time) removed his missiles based in Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, matched by a feeling of hope.

A Different Perspective

Yet, for those 13 days of October 1962, the tension was palpable by everyone. The podcast's presenters came into the world shortly after these events, with Khrushcheva learned about it through the USSR's school curriculum, which portrayed a slightly different picture of events.

"You said your parent remembers it, and it was a scary time," Khrushcheva notes. "However for Soviet citizens, the public were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, because it was a tense situation, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that things are always wonderful or sunny."

Within the Khrushchev household, though, it was distinct. "They told me 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, seen as a wonderful outcome," she adds. In the years to come, though, that view would not be shared by all Russians. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a defeat for the Soviet leader, because he didn’t blow up America."

A Unprecedented Partnership

The Bomb is so balanced , expertly crafted so much so that Khrushcheva quips she nearly forgot the known the ending. This effect is, in part, due to contributions from historians. Yet, really, the most groundbreaking thing is the involvement of the descendants. Not so long ago, it would be inconceivable that relatives of the heads of state of the United States and the Soviet Union to appear side by side. That these two individuals can do that, and be so warm toward one another, must be seen as a symbol of progress.

"We are not the first," notes Khrushcheva. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son and became great friends with the former president's family."

"However we were strangers before the podcast," clarifies Max. "Which is a shame since we got along really well and now we’re friends, something that is wonderful. Finally, after nearly six decades of nearly annihilating the world, our lineages are now allies, suggesting the world is safer, somewhat."

Modern Echoes and Current Dangers

Or is it? Part of why The Bomb seems so urgent is because we once again are living in dark times. The Doomsday Clock is closer to catastrophe than ever before, in part because world leaders don’t seem to be able to comprehend