Following nearly destroying our world, our families have become friends’: the gripping audio series from JFK & Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

During October 1962, the planet edged nearer toward ruin more so than ever during modern times. This happened following the discovery that an American surveillance aircraft found the fact that Russian nuclear missile bases were being assembled on Cuba, a mere 100 miles from the US mainland. In response, President John F Kennedy commanded a naval task force to establish a naval blockade encircling the island. The ensuing period was almost 14 days filled with unbearable stress.

The Unthinkable Threat

The threat remained palpable. If President Kennedy, or else his Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, had fired against the other side, a cascade involving worldwide atomic attacks and retaliatory strikes would have ensued, plunging humanity into total oblivion.

This pivotal 1962 event has been documented endlessly, in books, films, as well as TV documentaries. But, for its third season, a prominent audio documentary series The Bomb presents an unprecedented dimension into this historical narrative. It is co-presented featuring Max Kennedy alongside Khrushchev's descendant, family members belonging to the men that, over 13 days, controlled the destiny of the world in their hands.

"What was the Soviet side considering? What were Washington considering?" asks Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant who is also a professor of international affairs.

For her, the beauty of the podcast lies in its endeavor to explore: "How can people detest one another to the point they go against one another?"

"I am acutely aware how remarkable the fact that people have the potential to be allies or can become complete enemies," remarks Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of JFK and currently a writer as well as attorney. "History shows this over and over in instances where nations enter into conflict, highlighting the profound irrationality involved to engage in warfare."

The Brink of Disaster

What is notable about the Cuban missile crisis was that, since it transpired in the global spotlight, people around the world were able to observe nearly in real time as it edged towards armageddon. However, the risk of annihilation came closer than what anybody realised.

"Virtually everyone among Kennedy's advisors wanted an airstrike and a ground invasion," says Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked the Cubans with the Sixth Fleet, undoubtedly the Russians stationed there would have deployed a nuclear warhead against the US Sixth Fleet, and that would've sunk the naval vessels as well as destroyed our largest and most important fleet. And, we would have responded through massive retaliation that would have ended all life on the planet."

The reality this did not occur highlights the composure of both leaders, they managed to exercise restraint while engaging in diplomacy at a time when everyone in their governments demanded military action. Consequently, Khrushchev removed the nuclear weapons in Cuba and Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) withdrew American similar weapons based in Turkey. The relief was palpable, matched by the sense of optimism.

The Different Viewpoint

Still, during those two weeks of October 1962, the fear was palpable globally. The podcast's presenters came into the world in the years following these events, with Nina learned about it through the Soviet school curriculum, which portrayed an alternative narrative of events.

"As you mentioned your father remembers it, describing it as a frightening day," she says. "However in the Soviet Union, the public were largely unaware that much about it, because it was a crisis, and in the Soviet Union we were told that everything was always fine and positive."

Inside the Khrushchev household, though, the perspective was different. "I was informed that it was a triumphant moment it was, because it represented eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to resolve it, and avoided a global war, seen as a wonderful outcome," she adds. Later on, though, that perspective would not be shared by all Russians. "For decades in Russian politics, it was considered a failure for Khrushchev, because he didn’t blow up the United States."

A Unprecedented Partnership

This podcast is remarkably even-handed and expertly crafted that Khrushcheva jokes it almost made her forget she already knew the ending. This effect is, in part, due to the participation of historians. Yet, really, the most momentous thing is the participation of the descendants. Even within living memory, it was inconceivable that descendants of the heads of state of the United States and Soviet Union would appear together publicly. That these two individuals are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth with each other, has to be a symbol of optimism.

"We are not the first," notes Nina. "After 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 prior to this project," adds Max. "Which is a shame because we got along immediately and now we’re friends, which is wonderful. Finally, after almost six decades of nearly annihilating the planet, our lineages are now allies, so I think the world is more secure, a little bit."

Modern Echoes and Current Perils

Or is it? One reason why this series seems so urgent is that we once again find ourselves living through a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to catastrophe than ever before, partly since today's statesmen appear not to have the capacity to comprehend