Following almost annihilating the world, the families have become friends’: the thrilling podcast from JFK & Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

During the month of October 1962, the planet edged nearer to ruin than at any other point during the contemporary era. This happened following the discovery that a US surveillance plane discovered the fact that Soviet atomic missile sites were under construction on the island of Cuba, a mere 100 miles off the coast of the US mainland. In response, President JFK ordered the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to enact a maritime blockade around Cuba. What followed was almost two weeks filled with unbearable stress.

An Unthinkable Threat

The threat was clear. If Kennedy, or else his Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire on their enemy, a series of global atomic attacks followed by counterstrikes could have ensued, plunging civilization toward total ruination.

This pivotal 1962 event has been examined endlessly, in volumes, films, as well as TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, a prominent audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" introduces a novel element to this historical narrative. It is co-presented by Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva, family members belonging to the men who, over 13 days, grasped the destiny of humanity within their grasp.

"What was the Russians planning? What was Washington thinking?" questions Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant who is also a professor specializing in international affairs.

In her view, the beauty of the show is its attempt to question: "Why do people detest each other to the point they oppose each other?"

"It struck me how remarkable the fact that humans can be allies or else have the potential to be complete enemies," adds Kennedy, the son of RFK, related to JFK and now a writer as well as attorney. "History shows this dynamic over and over in instances where countries have gone to war, highlighting the sheer folly involved to fight."

A Brink Towards Catastrophe

What’s remarkable about this event was that, since it unfolded so publicly, people around the world were able to observe almost as it happened while it edged closer to armageddon. Even so, the risk of destruction came closer than most people understood at the time.

"Virtually everyone in the White House were advocating for an airstrike and a ground invasion," says Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck the Cubans using the Sixth Fleet, there is no question Soviet forces stationed there would have fired a nuclear warhead against the American ships, and that would've sunk the aircraft carriers as well as destroyed our primary naval force. And, we would have responded with massive retaliation that would have eradicated most life on the planet."

The reality this did not occur is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, who managed to remain calm and engaging in diplomacy at a time when everyone around them demanded military action. Consequently, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons from the Caribbean island and Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew his similar weapons from NATO ally Turkey. The relief was palpable, as was a feeling of hope.

A Divergent Viewpoint

Yet, during those 13 days in October, the anxiety was felt globally. The Bomb’s presenters came into the world shortly after these events, and Khrushcheva being taught about the crisis via the USSR's school curriculum, which painted a slightly different picture of events.

"You said your parent recalls it, and it was a scary time," Khrushcheva notes. "However for Soviet citizens, people were largely unaware that much about it, since it was a tense situation, and in the Soviet Union the official line was that everything was always wonderful and positive."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, however, it was distinct. "I was informed what a great occasion for the USSR, because it represented eyeball to eyeball. They were able to resolve it, thus didn’t start the war, seen as a wonderful outcome," she adds. In the years to come, though, that view was not shared by everybody. "For decades in Russian politics, it was considered a defeat for the Soviet leader, simply he didn’t blow up the United States."

An Unlikely Collaboration

The Bomb is remarkably balanced , expertly crafted that Khrushcheva quips she nearly forgot she already knew outcome. This is, in part, thanks to the participation of renowned scholars. But, really, the most momentous aspect remains the participation of the descendants. Not so long ago, it would be inconceivable for descendants of the leaders of America and Soviet Union to appear together publicly. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and exhibit such warmth with each other, must be seen as a symbol of hope.

"We aren't the pioneers," smiles Khrushcheva. "After 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"However we were strangers prior to this project," adds Kennedy. "That is a shame because we connected really well and now we are friends, something that is really great. Finally, after almost six decades of nearly annihilating the planet, our lineages have become allies, so I think the world is more secure, a little bit."

Modern Parallels with Present Perils

Or is it? One reason the reason The Bomb seems so urgent is because we once again find ourselves living through a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight in its history, in part because world leaders appear not to be able to grasp