Music Stars Making a Social Impact: Why & How Ruth Benfield of LAMA Entertainment Is Helping To Change Our World
Don’t wait for the perfect budget, the ideal job, or everything to fall into place. Ask yourself: What’s in my hand now? Use those gifts, refine them, and learn what you don’t know. Get started with what you have, or you’ll be waiting forever — and life is too short.
As a part of our series about stars who are making an important social impact, I had the pleasure of interviewing Ruth Benfield.
Ruth Benfield is a New Zealand-born composer, singer-songwriter, and producer with over 25 years of experience in the music and film industries. As the co-founder of LAMA Entertainment and Bridge and Acorn Entertainment, and founder of Glass of Milk Records, she has worked on a wide range of creative projects, blending her passion for storytelling with her expertise in music supervision, production, and composition. Ruth is dedicated to creating meaningful work that inspires and uplifts audiences.
Thank you so much for joining us on this interview series. Can you share with us the backstory that led you to this career path?
Thanks for having me. My career path is really twofold. I was raised in New Zealand in a family full of musicians. My father wrote songs and played guitar, my mother is an amazing singer-songwriter who plays multiple instruments, and my brother is a drummer. On top of that, we have grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins who are all incredible musicians! Naturally, I grew up with a deep love for music. However, as a teenager, I was very introverted and didn’t sing in front of anyone until I was 19. Once I did, I went all in — I attended music school, majoring in vocals and guitar and minoring in songwriting and production.
The other side of my career path comes from my love of movies. At 24, I met my husband, who was primarily an actor at the time. Over the years, he transitioned into producing, directing, and writing, which eventually led us to start our own film production company. Naturally, I took on the role of running the music department, which allowed me to explore producing, composing, and working as a music supervisor for film. And here we are today!
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
Honestly, I can’t think of a specific funny mistake, but my career has certainly been filled with both humorous moments and valuable lessons from my missteps. I’m incredibly grateful to continue doing what I love, and I’m still learning and growing every single day.
What would you advise a young person who wants to emulate your success?
Never start out thinking you’ll become a huge success overnight — if that’s your mindset, you’ll struggle to make it. Be ready to fail, and don’t shy away from any opportunity. Learn as much as you can, work hard, and if you don’t know how to do something, figure it out. With the internet, there’s no excuse not to learn — it’s all there at your fingertips. Be prepared to meet crazy deadlines, work long hours, and sometimes do what you love for free. If you truly love it, that won’t matter. And one day, with dedication, you’ll hopefully turn it into a fulfilling career.
Is there a person that made a profound impact on your life? Can you share a story?
I’ve been fortunate to be surrounded by people who have profoundly impacted my life. First and foremost, my mum, Helen Pallis. She’s incredibly talented, works harder than anyone I know, and has faced and overcome many battles in her life with grace, kindness, and unwavering integrity in an incredibly cutthroat industry. She instilled in me a deep passion for music, for which I’ll always be grateful.
My husband, Angus Benfield, inspires me every day. His commitment to learning, creating, and improving his craft is remarkable. When we were starting out in our 20s, he would often be reading ten books at once, all focused on different aspects of the industry. He’s never wavered in his pursuit of his dreams and consistently goes out of his way to help others — giving them opportunities when no one else will, even though he’s rarely thanked for it. He is such an inspiration to me, and I admire him so much. I definitely would have given up on my dreams a long time ago if it were not for both of their support and encouragement.
How are you using your success to bring goodness to the world? Can you share with us the meaningful or exciting causes you’re working on right now? Could you share the inspiration and message behind your latest song, Keep On, and what you hope listeners take away from it?
I don’t see myself as a success, that word has always made me feel odd. I see myself more as someone who finds joy in helping others succeed. If I had to frame success in a way that resonates with me, it would be in being proud of something I’ve contributed to. One such project is the film The Keeper.
The Keeper is the incredibly moving and inspirational true story of George Eshleman, an army veteran battling PTSD from his time in combat. He set out to hike the Appalachian Trail, initially as a way to raise awareness about the staggering rates of veteran suicides and to find solace in the trail’s solitude. Tragically, George’s plan was to end his own life during the hike, overwhelmed by the darkness he’d experienced and the loss of so many friends to suicide. Thankfully, with the support of a special group of veterans he met along the way, he made the decision to keep going. George eventually documented his journey to help others, and we turned his story into a film to share its powerful message.
His story has deeply impacted us all. It has become a personal mission for everyone involved in the film to shed light on the epidemic of veteran suicides and to support as many veterans as we can, both through the film and in other efforts.
The song Keep On was co-written with my friend, musician, and collaborator Scott Oatley. It’s about finding a way to keep going through life’s darkest moments. It’s a song about hope — about holding on and believing that better days are ahead. It serves as a reminder that we’re not alone, even in the toughest times. That’s a universal truth for everyone, not just veterans. We all face challenges, darkness, and trials in life.
Our hope is that both this song and the film will inspire people to hold on to hope during their hardest times, to keep moving forward, and to never give up.
Can you share with us a story behind why you chose to take up this particular cause?
I’ve always been drawn to true stories — they have a unique power to connect and inspire. When I first read this script, I immediately said to Angus, “We have to make this film.” The story moved me deeply. Like many people who first watch the movie, I wasn’t aware of the staggering statistics or the scale at which suicides were occurring within the military. It’s tragic, heartbreaking, and something that shouldn’t be happening. We owe so much more to our nation’s veterans.
I think it’s incredibly difficult for anyone to hear this information and not feel compelled to act. George is the kindest, funniest, and most genuine person you could ever meet. Yet every time he speaks about this subject, his emotions are laid bare — his heart right there on his sleeve. It’s both heartbreaking and incredibly inspiring. Because of his story and this mission, we are all forever connected and committed to this journey together.
Can you share with us a story about a person who was impacted by your cause?
There have been many people deeply impacted by this cause. In particular, the real-life individuals and families whose loved ones’ names are still carried by George today. Hearing from them has been overwhelming — they’ve shared that this film has “brought their loved ones back to life.” They’ve also emphasized the importance of the film in helping prevent others from enduring the same heartbreak their families experienced.
Two other stories stand out. One involves our co-director, Kendall Bryant Jr., a Marine. During the filming of a scene that included a heartfelt speech, he was moved to tears. In that moment, he realized he was struggling with PTSD and decided to seek help because of it.
Another powerful moment occurred after a screening at a Film Festival. Our film editors, Lex Benedict and Greg Cruser, were waiting in line for dinner when a young man approached them. He explained that the screening had affected him profoundly because he and his roommates — all young men in the military — were going through similar trauma to the characters in the film. He admitted he was having similar thoughts and needed to talk to someone urgently.
Greg and Lex immediately found George, who stepped in to talk to the young man. George listened, offering him understanding, friendship, and reassurance that he was not alone and that help was available. They spoke for about 30 minutes, and during that time, the young man went from being visibly scared and overwhelmed to feeling seen and understood. They exchanged contact information and have kept in touch with him through social media.
To us, George is a true hero. He instinctively knew exactly what to say to that young man, and we firmly believe he saved his life that night.
Are there three things or are there things that individuals, society, or the government can do to support you in this effort?
It has always been our hope and mission that this film, created for veterans by veterans, would contribute to the conversation about government care and mental health support for veterans by bringing attention to the alarming rate of veteran suicides.
From many conversations I’ve had with veterans while working on this film, it’s clear that this issue is not widely acknowledged, even though support networks exist. Veterans often haven’t been universally supported in the ways they need after returning from deployment. In war, they’re trained to be strong, brave, and resilient, to handle unimaginable situations that leave lasting trauma. Yet, when they come home, they’re often expected to resume “normal” life as if nothing happened. Many feel it’s a sign of weakness to ask for help, leading to feelings of isolation and the belief that they’re alone in their struggles.
We hope that by shedding light on this issue, the conversation will lead to an expansion of nationwide veteran support, especially for mental health. When these brave men and women return from fighting for our freedom, we owe them so much more than a simple pat on the back or a “thanks for your service.” They need real, tangible support and recognition. We should be saying: “You’ve been through some incredibly tough experiences. Let’s unpack that, let’s talk about it, and let’s help you process it before it becomes too overwhelming.”
Many veterans may not even realize they’re experiencing symptoms of PTSD, and their families and friends might not recognize it either. We hope this film raises awareness and sparks conversations in homes, among families, communities, and beyond, so veterans can get the understanding and care they truly deserve.
Why do you think music in particular has the power to create social change and create a positive impact on humanity?
Music speaks directly to the heart; it resonates with us on every emotional level, and we immediately make it personal. When we like a song, we truly listen to what it has to say — we consider its message, apply it to our own lives, replay it, and share it with others who might connect with it. Music has the power to comfort us; it’s something we can turn to during our most private, darkest, or saddest moments. It’s an intimate experience, one we don’t have to share unless we want to.
Music is a form of self-expression — it’s unique, special, and deeply impactful. It influences our mind, mood, and body. For me personally, it has been a vital coping mechanism. Music has the power to make us feel less alone; the lyrics remind us that someone else has felt the same way, faced the same struggles, and come through on the other side. It speaks directly to the heart, cutting through the noise in our minds.
Beyond its comforting qualities, music brings joy, regulates emotions, and turns a difficult moment into something positive. It adds meaning to life, inspires action, and connects people across cultures and boundaries. Music is a universal language — it tells stories, fosters connection, and has the ability to spur revolutions.
Every single person has been moved by music at some point in their life. Music is breath; it’s beautiful, and it holds a transformative power that few other things in life can match.
With the holiday season approaching, can you tell us about Christmas in New York? What inspired this song, and what feelings or memories do you hope it evokes for your audience?
I wrote most of Christmas in New York while in New York this past January and February, producing The Christmas Letter movie. Growing up in New Zealand, where Christmas falls in the peak of summer, I always longed for the visual magic, romance, and iconic charm of a classic snowy New York Christmas — the kind I had only seen in movies. I set out to create a song for this film that captures the nostalgia of 1940s Hollywood Christmas classics I grew up with, evoking that timeless holiday magic that seems to have faded over the years.
The song plays during a pivotal turning point in The Christmas Letter and serves as a reminder to pause, appreciate what we have, and cherish the people who matter most — our friends, families, and loved ones. Set in New York, the song weaves seamlessly into the film’s theme, embodying the true meaning of Christmas.
Producing and bringing this song to life as a duet with musician, producer, co-writer, and collaborator Scott Oatley was such an enjoyable experience. Together, we aimed to create a new yet timeless Christmas classic.
You can watch The Christmas Letter now on streaming platforms and listen to Christmas in New York on all major music platforms.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started”?
- Don’t wait for the perfect budget, the ideal job, or everything to fall into place. Ask yourself: What’s in my hand now? Use those gifts, refine them, and learn what you don’t know. Get started with what you have, or you’ll be waiting forever — and life is too short.
- Things start to happen when you take that leap of faith — not while you’re waiting for the right moment.
- Don’t give up on your dream. Your dream may evolve into something even more beautiful and rewarding than you could have ever imagined. But if you give up, you’ll never know what it could have become.
- Work hard and embrace every opportunity to learn. Be willing to work for free if it means gaining valuable knowledge and skills. Soak up everything you can.
- Do everything with kindness and integrity.
You’re a person of enormous influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger.
As for me, I’m not there yet. My hope in this life is to leave it knowing I’ve made a positive impact on someone’s life. I believe in kindness, living with grace and integrity, and always letting love guide your first thought toward everyone you encounter. Never judge someone by their appearance, choices, or actions — that’s not my place. You never know what struggles others are facing or have endured. There’s already so much brokenness in the world; we shouldn’t add to it.
Instead, aim to be a small source of light in someone’s day, whether through a smile, a kind word, or helping someone in need. If I have money in my wallet and a roof over my head, I know they need it more than I do — it’s an easy choice. The world has enough darkness; let’s all try to bring in a little more light.
Can you please give us your favorite life lesson quote? And can you explain how that was relevant in your life?
A long time ago, I came across a photo from a protest that said, “My God Loves Everyone.” That simple yet profound message has stayed with me ever since. It’s become a cornerstone of who I am, shaping my choices, my words, and how I treat others in life.
Another quote that resonates deeply with me is from the Bible: “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life” (Matthew 6:25–34). My childhood and teenage years were tumultuous at times, and I spent so much of my life worrying about countless things. Looking back, I realize that all that worrying never changed the outcomes, and many of the things I feared never even happened. Now, when I catch myself slipping into worry, I remind myself of this truth, and it brings me a great deal of peace.
We are blessed that some very prominent names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch, and why? He or she might just see this if we tag them.
I know it should probably be a musician or producer, haha, but I am a huge fan of The Office! I would absolutely love to have a private breakfast or lunch with Steve Carell. His body of work over the years has been incredible — not just as a brilliant comedic actor (I mean, “Crazy, Stupid, Love” is one of my all-time favorites alongside The Office), but also as a phenomenal dramatic actor. His deeply moving performance alongside Timothée Chalamet in Beautiful Boy absolutely wrecked me.
I’m free for lunch anytime, Steve! (Though I suppose my husband would want to come too…)
Thank you so much for these amazing insights. This was so inspiring, and we wish you continued success!
Music Stars Making a Social Impact: Why & How Ruth Benfield of LAMA Entertainment Is Helping To… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.