Following nearly destroying our world, our relatives have become friends’: the thrilling podcast featuring JFK & Khrushchev’s descendants.

During October 1962, the world came nearer toward ruin more so than ever during modern times. This happened after an American surveillance plane identified that Russian nuclear weapon bases were under construction on the island of Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers off the coast of the United States. In response, U.S. President JFK ordered a naval task force to impose a maritime quarantine around the island. What followed constituted almost two weeks filled with extreme anxiety.

The Catastrophic Danger

The danger remained palpable. Should Kennedy, or the Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack on the other side, a cascade of worldwide nuclear strikes followed by counterstrikes could have ensued, thrusting civilization into all-out ruination.

This pivotal 1962 event has been examined extensively, in volumes, movies, and TV documentaries. However, for its third season, the audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" introduces a completely new dimension to the story. The series is jointly hosted featuring Max Kennedy alongside Khrushchev's descendant, relatives belonging to the men who, for two tense weeks, controlled the destiny of the world within their grasp.

"What was the Kremlin considering? What was the United States thinking?" asks Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant who is also a professor specializing in international affairs.

In her view, the beauty of the show lies in its endeavor to explore: "How can nations hate one another to the point they confront one another?"

"I am acutely aware how profound it is that humans have the potential to be friends or else can become complete enemies," states Max Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of JFK and now an author and attorney. "We see this repeatedly when nations have gone to war, and it just illustrates the sheer folly it is to engage in warfare."

The Precipice of Disaster

What’s notable about this event is that, because it transpired so publicly, citizens globally were able to observe nearly in real time while it edged closer to armageddon. Even so, the risk of destruction came closer than what anybody realised.

"The overwhelming majority in the White House were advocating for an airstrike and a ground invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked Cuba using the Sixth Fleet, it is certain the Russians stationed there would have fired a tactical nuclear weapon at the American ships, and that would've sunk our naval vessels as well as destroyed America's primary naval force. And, the U.S. would have responded through an overwhelming counterattack which would have ended all life on Earth."

The reality this did not occur stands as credit to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they managed to exercise restraint while engaging in diplomacy at a time when hawkish elements in their governments demanded military action. As a result, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the missiles in Cuba and Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew his similar weapons based in NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, as was a feeling of hope.

The Different Perspective

Yet, during those 13 days of October 1962, the tension was palpable globally. The Bomb’s presenters came into the world in the years following the crisis, and Nina being taught about it through the USSR's school curriculum, which presented an alternative picture of events.

"As you mentioned your parent recalls it, describing it as a scary day," she says. "However for Soviet citizens, people really didn’t know a great deal about it, since it was a tense situation, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that things are constantly fine and sunny."

Inside the Khrushchev household, though, the perspective was distinct. "They told me that it was a triumphant occasion for the USSR, because it was eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to find a solution, and avoided a global war, which was a wonderful outcome," she adds. Later on, though, that interpretation would not be held by everybody. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a failure for Khrushchev, because he refrained from destroying America."

A Unprecedented Collaboration

The Bomb is remarkably balanced , expertly crafted so much so that Nina jokes she nearly forgot she already knew outcome. This effect is, in part, thanks to contributions from historians. But, truly, the most momentous thing is the involvement of the descendants. Not so long ago, it would be unthinkable for descendants of the leaders of America and USSR would appear side by side. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and be so warm toward one another, has to be a sign of progress.

"Max and I are not the pioneers," smiles Nina. "Following 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"But we were strangers prior to this project," adds Max. "Which is unfortunate because we got along immediately and we’re friends, something that is wonderful. Finally, after nearly six decades since almost destroying the planet, our families have become friends, suggesting global relations is more secure, somewhat."

Modern Echoes with Current Perils

Is that truly the case? One reason the reason The Bomb feels so necessary is that we now are living in a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to catastrophe than ever before, in part because world leaders don’t seem to have the capacity to grasp