In this conversation, Dame Carol Black discusses her remarkable journey from a working-class background to becoming a leading figure in health and wellbeing, particularly in the context of addiction and recovery. She reflects on her early experiences in medicine, her pivotal reviews on workplace health and drug policy, and the importance of employment in recovery. The conversation also addresses the stigma surrounding addiction, the need for social support, and the progress made in drug strategy reform. Finally, Dame Carol emphasises the value of knowledge and the role of the British Library in making it accessible to future generations.