Following almost annihilating our planet, the relatives are allies’: the gripping podcast featuring John F. Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants.

During October 1962, humanity edged closer to destruction more so than ever in modern times. This transpired when a US reconnaissance plane identified the fact that Russian nuclear weapon installations were under construction in Cuba, less than 160 kilometers from the US mainland. In response, President JFK commanded a naval task force to enact a maritime blockade encircling the island. The next phase was nearly 14 days of extreme anxiety.

An Unthinkable Threat

The peril was clear. Should President Kennedy, or else his Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack on their enemy, a chain reaction involving worldwide atomic strikes and counterstrikes might have followed, thrusting mankind toward total ruination.

The Cuban missile crisis has been examined repeatedly, through books, films, as well as TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, a prominent audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" introduces a novel perspective to this historical narrative. The series is co-presented by Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva, family members of the figures who, for two tense weeks, controlled the fate of the world in their hands.

"What was the Soviet side thinking? What was Washington considering?" asks Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant who is also an academic of global relations.

For her, the unique appeal of the show is its endeavor to explore: "How can people detest each other to the point they oppose each other?"

"It struck me how spectacular it is that people have the potential to be friends or else have the potential to be complete enemies," remarks Max Kennedy, son of RFK, nephew of the late president and currently an author as well as lawyer. "History shows this over and over in instances where nations have gone to war, and it just illustrates the sheer folly involved to fight."

A Brink of Disaster

What’s remarkable about the Cuban missile crisis was that, since it transpired so publicly, citizens around the world were able to observe nearly as it happened while it crept closer to armageddon. Nonetheless, the threat of annihilation was more imminent than anybody understood at the time.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors wanted a military strike followed by an invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck the Cubans using the naval blockade, there is no question the Russians stationed there would have launched a nuclear warhead against the American ships, which would have destroyed the naval vessels as well as sunk our largest and most important naval force. And, we would have retaliated through massive retaliation that would have eradicated all life on the planet."

The reality it didn’t is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they managed to keep their heads and calmly negotiate when many advisors around them were advocating action. Consequently, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons in the Caribbean island while President Kennedy (although not reported then) removed American similar weapons from Turkey. The relief was immense, as was a feeling of optimism.

The Divergent Perspective

Yet, for those 13 days in October, the tension was felt globally. The podcast's presenters were born shortly after the crisis, and Khrushcheva being taught about it through the Soviet school curriculum, which portrayed an alternative narrative of what happened.

"As you mentioned your parent recalls it, describing it as a scary time," she says. "However for Soviet citizens, the public were largely unaware a great deal about it, because it was a tense situation, whereas in the Soviet Union the official line was that things are always wonderful and positive."

Within Khrushchev’s family, however, it was different. "I was informed that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, as it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to find a solution, and didn’t start the war, which was a positive outcome," she adds. In the years to come, though, that view would not be held by all Russians. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a setback for Khrushchev, simply he refrained from destroying the United States."

An Unprecedented Collaboration

The Bomb is remarkably balanced and well produced so much so that Nina quips she nearly forgot the known outcome. This effect is, partly, due to contributions from renowned scholars. Yet, truly, the most groundbreaking aspect is the participation of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it was inconceivable for descendants of the leaders of the United States and Soviet Union to appear side by side. The fact that these two individuals can do that, and be so warm toward one another, must be seen as a sign of optimism.

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

"But we had never met prior to this project," clarifies Kennedy. "Which is unfortunate since we connected really well and now we are friends, something that is really great. Finally, after almost 60 years since nearly annihilating the planet, our lineages have become friends, so I think the world is more secure, a little bit."

Modern Echoes with Present Perils

Is that truly the case? Part of why The Bomb feels so necessary is because we now find ourselves living through a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight than ever before, partly since world leaders appear not to have the capacity to comprehend