Following nearly annihilating the world, the families have become friends’: a thrilling audio series featuring John F. Kennedy & Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants.

During the month of October 1962, the world edged nearer toward destruction than at any other point in modern times. This occurred after a US surveillance aircraft identified the fact that Russian nuclear weapon bases were being assembled on Cuba, a mere 100 miles from American soil. In response, President JFK ordered a naval task force to establish a maritime quarantine encircling Cuba. The ensuing period was almost 14 days filled with extreme stress.

An Unthinkable Threat

The danger was obvious. Should Kennedy, or else the Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack on the other side, a series of global nuclear strikes and retaliatory strikes could have followed, thrusting mankind into all-out destruction.

This pivotal 1962 event has been examined repeatedly, through books, movies, and TV documentaries. But, for its third season, the audio documentary series The Bomb has brought a novel perspective to the story. It is co-presented by Kennedy's relative alongside Khrushchev's descendant, relatives belonging to the men who, for two tense weeks, controlled the destiny of the world within their grasp.

"What were the Soviet side considering? What was the United States considering?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant and an academic specializing in international affairs.

In her view, the unique appeal of the podcast is its endeavor to question: "How can individuals hate one another and go against one another?"

"I am acutely aware how remarkable it is that people can be friends or can become complete enemies," adds Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, related to JFK and now a writer and lawyer. "We see this over and over when nations enter into conflict, highlighting how unbelievably stupid involved to fight."

A Precipice of Disaster

What’s remarkable about this event is that, since it unfolded so publicly, individuals around the world could watch almost in real time while it crept towards disaster. However, the threat of annihilation came closer than what most people understood at the time.

"Virtually everyone in the White House wanted an airstrike and an invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked the Cubans with the Sixth Fleet, there is no question the Russians on the ground would have deployed a tactical nuclear weapon against the American ships, which would have sunk the naval vessels as well as sunk America's primary naval force. And, we would have retaliated through an overwhelming counterattack that would have ended all life on Earth."

The fact this did not occur stands as credit to Kennedy and Khrushchev, who succeeded in keep their heads while engaging in diplomacy at a time when everyone in their governments demanded action. As a result, Khrushchev removed the missiles in Cuba while Kennedy (although not reported at the time) removed American similar weapons from Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, matched by the sense of optimism.

The Divergent Perspective

Yet, for those 13 days of October 1962, the tension was felt globally. The podcast's co-hosts were born in the years following the crisis, and Khrushcheva being taught about it through the Soviet school curriculum, which painted a slightly different narrative of what happened.

"You said your father recalls it, describing it as a frightening time," Khrushcheva notes. "But in the Soviet Union, the public really didn’t know that much regarding the crisis, because it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that things are always fine and sunny."

Within the Khrushchev household, though, it was distinct. "They told me that it was a triumphant occasion it was, because it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, thus didn’t start a global war, which was a positive outcome," she adds. Later on, however, that interpretation was not held by everybody. "For a long time in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a defeat for Khrushchev, because he refrained from destroying America."

An Unprecedented Partnership

This podcast is remarkably balanced and well produced that Khrushcheva quips it almost made her forget she already knew the ending. This effect is, in part, thanks to contributions from renowned scholars. But, really, the most momentous thing remains the involvement of the descendants. Even within living memory, it was inconceivable for descendants of the leaders of America and USSR would appear together publicly. The fact that these two individuals are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth with each other, must be seen as a sign of hope.

"Max and I aren't the first," smiles Khrushcheva. "After 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son and formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"But we were strangers before the podcast," clarifies Kennedy. "Which is a shame since we connected immediately and we’re friends, which is really great. Finally, after nearly 60 years since nearly annihilating the world, our lineages have become friends, suggesting the world is more secure, a little bit."

Contemporary Parallels and Present Perils

Or is it? Part of the reason this series feels so necessary is because we once again are living in a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to midnight than ever before, in part because today's statesmen don’t seem to be able to comprehend