‘After nearly destroying the world, our families have become allies’: the thrilling podcast featuring John F. Kennedy and Khrushchev’s relatives.

In the month of October 1962, the planet edged nearer toward destruction more so than ever in the contemporary era. This transpired when an American reconnaissance plane discovered the fact that Soviet atomic weapon bases were being assembled on the island of Cuba, less than 160 kilometers off the coast of the United States. Reacting to this, President JFK commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to enact a maritime blockade around the island. The next phase constituted almost a fortnight filled with impossible anxiety.

An Catastrophic Threat

The danger was clear. If Kennedy, or else his Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, had fired on the other side, a cascade involving worldwide nuclear strikes and retaliatory strikes could have ensued, thrusting civilization into total ruination.

The October crisis has been documented endlessly, through books, films, and television programmes. However, for its third season, a prominent audio documentary series The Bomb introduces a novel perspective to the story. It is co-presented featuring Max Kennedy and Khrushchev's descendant, relatives of the leaders that, for 13 days, grasped the destiny of humanity in their hands.

"What were the Kremlin considering? What was the United States considering?" questions Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant who is also a professor of international affairs.

In her view, the unique appeal of the show is its endeavor to question: "Why do people hate each other to the point they confront one another?"

"It was not lost on me how remarkable it is that individuals can be friends or else can become complete adversaries," states Max Kennedy, the son of RFK, related to JFK and now a writer as well as lawyer. "We see this over and over when nations enter into conflict, and it just illustrates the sheer folly involved to engage in warfare."

The Precipice Towards Catastrophe

What is remarkable about the Cuban missile crisis was that, because it unfolded in the global spotlight, citizens globally could watch nearly as it happened as it edged closer to catastrophe. Nonetheless, the risk of destruction came closer than anybody understood at the time.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for an airstrike followed by a ground invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "If we had struck Cuba with the naval blockade, it is certain the Russians on the ground would have launched a nuclear warhead against the American ships, and that would've destroyed our naval vessels and sunk America's primary naval force. In turn, we would have responded through an overwhelming counterattack that would have eradicated most life on Earth."

The reality this did not occur highlights the composure of Kennedy and Khrushchev, they managed to exercise restraint and calmly negotiate at a time when hawkish elements around them demanded action. As a result, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons from Cuba and President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) removed his similar weapons from Turkey. The sense of relief was immense, matched by the sense of hope.

A Divergent Viewpoint

Yet, for those 13 days of October 1962, the anxiety was felt by everyone. The Bomb’s presenters came into the world shortly after these events, and Nina being taught about it via the Soviet education system, which painted an alternative narrative of what happened.

"You said your father recalls it, and it was a frightening day," she says. "But for Soviet citizens, the public really didn’t know that much about it, since it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that things are always fine or positive."

Inside the Khrushchev household, though, it was different. "They told me what a great moment it was, as it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, thus avoided the war, seen as a positive thing," she continues. In the years to come, however, that interpretation was not held by everybody. "For a long time in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a setback for Khrushchev, simply he refrained from destroying the United States."

An Unprecedented Partnership

The Bomb is remarkably balanced and well produced so much so that Khrushcheva quips she nearly forgot she already knew outcome. This effect is, partly, due to the participation of historians. Yet, truly, the most significant thing remains the participation of the descendants. Even within living memory, it was inconceivable for descendants of the heads of state of America and the USSR to appear together publicly. The fact that these two individuals can do that, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, has to be a sign of optimism.

"We are not the pioneers," notes Khrushcheva. "Following 1991, a relative moved to America and formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we had never met before the podcast," clarifies Max. "That is a shame because we connected really well and now we are friends, something that is really great. Finally, following almost six decades of nearly annihilating the planet, our families have become allies, so I think global relations is safer, a little bit."

Contemporary Parallels with Present Perils

Or is it? One reason why this series feels so necessary is that we once again are living living through dark times. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to catastrophe in its history, in part because world leaders appear not to have the capacity to comprehend