Following almost destroying our planet, our families have become allies’: the gripping audio series from John F. Kennedy & Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

During the month of October 1962, humanity veered closer toward ruin than at any other point in modern times. This transpired following the discovery that an American surveillance plane discovered that Soviet atomic missile installations were under construction in Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers off the coast of the United States. Reacting to this, U.S. President JFK directed the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to enact a maritime blockade around the island. The ensuing period was nearly a fortnight of extreme anxiety.

An Catastrophic Threat

The danger was obvious. Should Kennedy, or the Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, had fired on the other side, a chain reaction of worldwide atomic strikes followed by counterstrikes might have followed, thrusting humanity into total destruction.

The Cuban missile crisis has been examined endlessly, in books, movies, as well as TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, the audio documentary series The Bomb presents an unprecedented element to this historical narrative. It is co-presented featuring Max Kennedy alongside Nina Khrushcheva, family members belonging to the figures who, for two tense weeks, grasped the fate of the world in their hands.

"What was the Russians planning? What were Washington considering?" asks Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant and a professor of international affairs.

For her, the strength of the show lies in its endeavor to question: "Why do people hate one another to the point they oppose one another?"

"I am acutely aware how spectacular the fact that people can be allies or can become complete adversaries," states Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, related to JFK and currently an author and lawyer. "History shows this dynamic over and over in instances where countries enter into conflict, highlighting the sheer folly it is to engage in warfare."

A Precipice of Catastrophe

What is remarkable about the Cuban missile crisis is that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, individuals around the world were able to observe almost in real time while it edged closer to disaster. Nonetheless, the threat of annihilation came closer than what anybody understood at the time.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors wanted an airstrike followed by an invasion," says Max Kennedy. "If we had struck Cuba using the naval blockade, there is no question the Russians on the ground would have fired a nuclear warhead against the US Sixth Fleet, and that would've destroyed our naval vessels as well as destroyed America's primary naval force. And, the U.S. would have responded with massive retaliation that would have eradicated all life on Earth."

The reality this did not occur is a testament to both leaders, who managed to keep their heads while engaging in diplomacy at a time when many advisors around them were advocating military action. Consequently, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the missiles from the Caribbean island while Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) removed American missiles from NATO ally Turkey. The relief was worldwide, as was a feeling of hope.

The Different Viewpoint

Still, during those 13 days of October 1962, the fear was palpable by everyone. The podcast's co-hosts came into the world shortly after the crisis, with Khrushcheva learned about the crisis through the Soviet education system, which presented a slightly different version of events.

"As you mentioned your father remembers it, and it was a frightening time," Khrushcheva notes. "But for Soviet citizens, people really didn’t know a great deal regarding the crisis, because it was a crisis, and under the Soviet system the official line was that everything was constantly wonderful or positive."

Inside the Khrushchev household, though, it was distinct. "I was informed what a great occasion it was, as it represented eyeball to eyeball. They were able to resolve it, and avoided a global war, which was a wonderful thing," she adds. In the years to come, though, that interpretation was not shared by everybody. "For a long time in Russian politics, it was considered a defeat for the Soviet leader, simply he refrained from destroying the United States."

An Unprecedented Collaboration

The Bomb is remarkably even-handed , expertly crafted so much so that Khrushcheva quips it almost made her forget the known the ending. This effect is, in part, thanks to the participation of renowned scholars. Yet, truly, the most momentous aspect remains the involvement of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it was inconceivable that descendants of the leaders of America and the USSR would appear side by side. That these two individuals are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, has to be a symbol of optimism.

"Max and I aren't the pioneers," notes Khrushcheva. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle moved to America and became great friends with the former president's family."

"But we had never met before the podcast," adds Max. "That is unfortunate because we connected immediately and we’re friends, which is really great. Ultimately, after almost 60 years since nearly annihilating the world, our lineages have become friends, suggesting global relations is safer, somewhat."

Modern Echoes with Current Dangers

Is that truly the case? Part of the reason The Bomb seems so urgent is that we once again are living in dark times. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to midnight in its history, in part because world leaders don’t seem to be able to grasp