Following nearly annihilating our world, our relatives have become allies’: the thrilling audio series from John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s relatives.

In the month of October 1962, humanity came nearer to ruin than at any other point during recent history. This transpired when a US reconnaissance plane found the fact that Soviet nuclear missile sites were being built in Cuba, a mere 100 miles off the coast of the United States. In response, U.S. President JFK commanded a naval task force to enact a naval blockade encircling Cuba. The next phase constituted nearly a fortnight of impossible stress.

An Unthinkable Danger

The threat was obvious. If President Kennedy, or his Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire on their enemy, a chain reaction involving worldwide atomic strikes and retaliatory strikes could have followed, casting civilization into total destruction.

This pivotal 1962 event has been examined repeatedly, through volumes, films, and TV documentaries. However, for its third season, a prominent audio documentary series The Bomb introduces a completely new element into this historical narrative. It is co-presented by Kennedy's relative alongside Khrushchev's descendant, relatives belonging to the leaders that, over two tense weeks, grasped the fate of the world within their grasp.

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

For her, the unique appeal of the show lies in its attempt to objectively ask: "Why do nations detest each other to the point they oppose each other?"

"I am acutely aware how spectacular the fact that people have the potential to be allies or can become complete enemies," states Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, related to the late president and currently a writer and attorney. "We see this dynamic repeatedly when nations enter into conflict, and it just illustrates the sheer folly involved to fight."

The Brink Towards Disaster

What’s notable regarding this event was that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, individuals around the world could watch nearly in real time while it crept towards catastrophe. Nonetheless, the threat of destruction came closer than what anybody understood at the time.

"The overwhelming majority in the White House wanted a military strike followed by a ground invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck Cuba with the Sixth Fleet, it is certain Soviet forces stationed there would have deployed a nuclear warhead at the American ships, which would've sunk the naval vessels as well as destroyed America's largest and most important fleet. And, we would have responded with massive retaliation that would have ended most life on the planet."

The fact it didn’t highlights the composure of both leaders, who succeeded in keep their heads while engaging in diplomacy at a time when many advisors in their governments was pushing for action. Consequently, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons in Cuba while Kennedy (although not reported at the time) removed his missiles from Turkey. The relief was palpable, as was a feeling of optimism.

A Divergent Perspective

Still, during those two weeks of October 1962, the anxiety was palpable globally. The podcast's presenters came into the world in the years following these events, with Nina being taught about it via the USSR's school curriculum, which presented a slightly different version of what happened.

"As you mentioned your parent remembers it, and it was a scary day," Khrushcheva notes. "But for Soviet citizens, the public really didn’t know that much about it, since it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system the official line was that everything was always fine and sunny."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, however, the perspective was distinct. "I was informed what a great moment it was, because it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, and avoided a global war, seen as a wonderful thing," she adds. In the years to come, though, that view would not be held by everybody. "For a long time in Russian politics, it was considered a setback for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up America."

A Unprecedented Partnership

This podcast is remarkably balanced and well produced so much so that Nina quips she nearly forgot she already knew the ending. This is, partly, thanks to contributions from renowned scholars. But, really, the most groundbreaking thing is the participation of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it was inconceivable that descendants of the leaders of America and the Soviet Union to appear together publicly. The fact that these two individuals are able to do so, and be so warm toward one another, must be seen as a sign of hope.

"Max and I aren't the first," notes Nina. "After 1991, a relative moved to America and formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"But we were strangers before the podcast," adds Kennedy. "That is unfortunate since we connected really well and now we’re friends, something that is wonderful. Ultimately, following almost 60 years since almost destroying the world, our lineages are now allies, so I think global relations is more secure, somewhat."

Contemporary Parallels with Present Perils

Or is it? One reason why this series feels so necessary is that we now find ourselves living through a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to catastrophe in its history, in part because world leaders don’t seem to be able to comprehend