Following nearly annihilating our world, our families have become allies’: a thrilling audio series featuring JFK & Khrushchev’s descendants.

During October 1962, humanity came nearer toward destruction than at any other point in modern times. This transpired following the discovery that an American surveillance plane discovered that Russian nuclear weapon installations were being built in the island of Cuba, less than 100 miles from the United States. Reacting to this, U.S. President John F Kennedy commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to establish a maritime blockade encircling Cuba. The ensuing period was nearly 14 days filled with impossible tension.

An Unthinkable Danger

The danger remained palpable. Should President Kennedy, or the Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack against their enemy, a cascade of worldwide nuclear attacks and counterstrikes could have ensued, plunging humanity toward total ruination.

This pivotal 1962 event has been examined repeatedly, through volumes, movies, and TV documentaries. But, for its third season, the audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" introduces an unprecedented perspective into this historical narrative. The series is co-presented by Kennedy's relative and Khrushchev's descendant, family members belonging to the men who, over two tense weeks, controlled the fate of humanity in their hands.

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

For her, the beauty of the show is its endeavor to objectively ask: "How can individuals hate one another to the point they go against one another?"

"It struck me how remarkable the fact that people have the potential to be allies or else can become total adversaries," remarks Max Kennedy, son of RFK, related to the late president and currently a writer as well as lawyer. "We see this repeatedly when countries enter into conflict, highlighting the sheer folly it is to fight."

The Precipice Towards Catastrophe

What’s remarkable regarding this event is that, because it transpired so publicly, citizens around the world could watch nearly as it happened while it moved towards catastrophe. Nonetheless, the threat of annihilation came closer than most people realised.

"Almost all officials in the White House wanted a military strike and a ground invasion," says Max Kennedy. "If we had struck Cuba using the naval blockade, it is certain Soviet forces stationed there would've fired a tactical nuclear weapon at the US Sixth Fleet, and that would have destroyed our naval vessels as well as destroyed America's largest and most important fleet. And, we would have retaliated through an overwhelming counterattack which would have eradicated most life on Earth."

The fact it didn’t is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they succeeded in remain calm and calmly negotiate when hawkish elements around them was pushing for military action. Consequently, The Soviet premier removed the missiles in the Caribbean island while President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) removed his similar weapons from Turkey. The relief was immense, matched by a feeling of hope.

The Divergent Viewpoint

Yet, during those 13 days in October, the fear was felt by everyone. The Bomb’s presenters came into the world in the years following these events, and Khrushcheva learned about the crisis through the Soviet school curriculum, which portrayed a slightly different version of what happened.

"You said your father recalls it, describing it as a frightening time," Khrushcheva notes. "However in the Soviet Union, the public were largely unaware that much about it, because it was a crisis, and in the Soviet Union the official line was that everything was always fine and positive."

Within Khrushchev’s family, though, it was distinct. "I was informed what a great occasion for the USSR, as it was a direct confrontation. They were able to find a solution, thus didn’t start a global war, which was a wonderful thing," she adds. Later on, however, that perspective was not held by everybody. "For a long time in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a setback for the Soviet leader, because he didn’t blow up America."

An Unlikely Collaboration

This podcast is remarkably even-handed , well produced so much so that Khrushcheva quips it almost made her forget the known outcome. This is, partly, thanks to the participation of historians. Yet, really, the most momentous aspect is the participation of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it was inconceivable for relatives of the leaders of America and USSR would appear together publicly. The fact that these two individuals can do that, and exhibit such warmth with each other, must be seen as a sign of progress.

"Max and I aren't the first," smiles Khrushcheva. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative moved to America and became great friends with the former president's family."

"But we had never met before the podcast," clarifies Kennedy. "That is a shame since we got along immediately and now we are friends, something that is wonderful. Ultimately, following almost six decades since nearly annihilating the planet, our families are now allies, suggesting the world is safer, somewhat."

Modern Echoes and Present Dangers

Or is it? Part of why The Bomb feels so necessary is because we now find ourselves in dark times. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to midnight in its history, partly since world leaders don’t seem to be able to learn