diff --git a/spec/policies/admin_policy_spec.rb b/spec/policies/admin_policy_spec.rb
index 65235d898..9df210f50 100644
--- a/spec/policies/admin_policy_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/policies/admin_policy_spec.rb
@@ -1,14 +1,14 @@
 require "rails_helper"
 
-RSpec.describe AdminPolicy do
-  subject { described_class }
+RSpec.describe AdminPolicy, type: :policy do
+  let(:admin_policy) { described_class }
 
   permissions :show? do
     context "when regular user" do
-      let(:user) { build(:user) }
+      let(:user) { build_stubbed(:user) }
 
       it "does not allow someone without admin privileges to do continue" do
-        expect(subject).not_to permit(user) # rubocop:disable RSpec/NamedSubject
+        expect(admin_policy).not_to permit(user)
       end
     end
 
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ RSpec.describe AdminPolicy do
       let(:user) { build(:user, :super_admin) }
 
       it "allow someone with admin privileges to continue" do
-        expect(subject).to permit(user) # rubocop:disable RSpec/NamedSubject
+        expect(admin_policy).to permit(user)
       end
     end
   end
diff --git a/spec/policies/api_secret_policy_spec.rb b/spec/policies/api_secret_policy_spec.rb
index 9e4f6a922..3fad0044c 100644
--- a/spec/policies/api_secret_policy_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/policies/api_secret_policy_spec.rb
@@ -1,26 +1,28 @@
 require "rails_helper"
 
-RSpec.describe ApiSecretPolicy do
+RSpec.describe ApiSecretPolicy, type: :policy do
   subject { described_class.new(user, api_secret) }
 
-  let(:api_secret) { build(:api_secret) }
   let(:valid_attributes) { %i[description] }
 
   context "when user is not signed in" do
-    let(:user) { nil }
+    let(:user)       { nil }
+    let(:api_secret) { build_stubbed(:api_secret) }
 
     it { within_block_is_expected.to raise_error(Pundit::NotAuthorizedError) }
   end
 
   context "when user owns the secret" do
-    let(:user) { api_secret.user }
+    let(:user)       { build_stubbed(:user) }
+    let(:api_secret) { build_stubbed(:api_secret, user: user) }
 
     it { is_expected.to permit_actions %i[create destroy] }
     it { is_expected.to permit_mass_assignment_of(valid_attributes) }
   end
 
   context "when user does not own the secret" do
-    let(:user) { create(:user) }
+    let(:user)       { build_stubbed(:user) }
+    let(:api_secret) { build_stubbed(:api_secret) }
 
     it { is_expected.to permit_actions %i[create] }
     it { is_expected.to forbid_actions %i[destroy] }
diff --git a/spec/policies/article_policy_spec.rb b/spec/policies/article_policy_spec.rb
index 509789b78..493be65c7 100644
--- a/spec/policies/article_policy_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/policies/article_policy_spec.rb
@@ -3,13 +3,15 @@ require "rails_helper"
 RSpec.describe ArticlePolicy do
   subject { described_class.new(user, article) }
 
-  let(:article) { create(:article) }
+  let(:article) { build_stubbed(:article) }
   let(:valid_attributes) do
     %i[title body_html body_markdown main_image published
        description allow_small_edits allow_big_edits tag_list publish_under_org
        video video_code video_source_url video_thumbnail_url receive_notifications]
   end
 
+  before { allow(article).to receive(:published).and_return(true) }
+
   context "when user is not signed-in" do
     let(:user) { nil }
 
@@ -17,13 +19,13 @@ RSpec.describe ArticlePolicy do
   end
 
   context "when user is not the author" do
-    let(:user) { create(:user) }
+    let(:user) { build_stubbed(:user) }
 
     it { is_expected.to permit_actions(%i[new create preview]) }
     it { is_expected.to forbid_actions(%i[update edit manage delete_confirm destroy]) }
 
     context "with banned status" do
-      before { user.add_role :banned }
+      before { user.add_role(:banned) }
 
       it { is_expected.to permit_actions(%i[new preview]) }
       it { is_expected.to forbid_actions(%i[create edit manage update delete_confirm destroy]) }
@@ -31,13 +33,14 @@ RSpec.describe ArticlePolicy do
   end
 
   context "when user is the author" do
-    let(:user) { article.user }
+    let(:user)    { build_stubbed(:user) }
+    let(:article) { build_stubbed(:article, user: user) }
 
     it { is_expected.to permit_actions(%i[update edit manage new create delete_confirm destroy preview]) }
     it { is_expected.to permit_mass_assignment_of(valid_attributes) }
 
     context "with banned status" do
-      before { user.add_role :banned }
+      before { user.add_role(:banned) }
 
       it { is_expected.to permit_actions(%i[update new delete_confirm destroy preview]) }
     end
diff --git a/spec/policies/block_policy_spec.rb b/spec/policies/block_policy_spec.rb
index d13525d0b..3723efdf0 100644
--- a/spec/policies/block_policy_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/policies/block_policy_spec.rb
@@ -1,9 +1,9 @@
 require "rails_helper"
 
-RSpec.describe BlockPolicy do
+RSpec.describe BlockPolicy, type: :policy do
   subject { described_class.new(user, block) }
 
-  let(:block) { build(:block) }
+  let(:block) { build_stubbed(:block) }
 
   let(:valid_attributes) do
     %i[input_html input_css input_javascript featured index_position publish_now]
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ RSpec.describe BlockPolicy do
   end
 
   context "when signed in as a regular user" do
-    let(:user) { build(:user) }
+    let(:user) { build_stubbed(:user) }
 
     it { is_expected.to forbid_actions(%i[index show new edit create update destroy]) }
   end
diff --git a/spec/policies/buffer_update_policy_spec.rb b/spec/policies/buffer_update_policy_spec.rb
index f7a316623..aac163c00 100644
--- a/spec/policies/buffer_update_policy_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/policies/buffer_update_policy_spec.rb
@@ -1,9 +1,9 @@
 require "rails_helper"
 
-RSpec.describe BufferUpdatePolicy do
+RSpec.describe BufferUpdatePolicy, type: :policy do
   subject { described_class.new(user, article) }
 
-  let(:article) { build(:article) }
+  let(:article) { build_stubbed(:article) }
 
   context "when user is trusted" do
     let(:user) { build(:user, :trusted) }
diff --git a/spec/policies/chat_channel_membership_policy_spec.rb b/spec/policies/chat_channel_membership_policy_spec.rb
index b53a93965..341f92873 100644
--- a/spec/policies/chat_channel_membership_policy_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/policies/chat_channel_membership_policy_spec.rb
@@ -1,33 +1,27 @@
 require "rails_helper"
 
-RSpec.describe ChatChannelMembershipPolicy do
+RSpec.describe ChatChannelMembershipPolicy, type: :policy do
   subject { described_class.new(user, chat_channel_membership) }
 
-  let(:chat_channel_membership) { build(:chat_channel_membership) }
+  let(:user)                    { build_stubbed(:user) }
+  let(:chat_channel)            { build_stubbed(:chat_channel) }
 
   context "when user is not signed-in" do
     let(:user) { nil }
+    let(:chat_channel_membership) { build_stubbed(:chat_channel_membership) }
 
     it { within_block_is_expected.to raise_error(Pundit::NotAuthorizedError) }
   end
 
   context "when user belongs to membership" do
-    let(:user) { create(:user) }
-    let(:chat_channel) { create(:chat_channel) }
-    let(:chat_channel_membership) do
-      create(:chat_channel_membership, user_id: user.id, chat_channel_id: chat_channel.id)
-    end
+    let(:chat_channel_membership) { build_stubbed(:chat_channel_membership, user: user, chat_channel: chat_channel) }
 
     it { is_expected.to permit_actions(%i[update destroy]) }
   end
 
   context "when user does not belong to membership" do
-    let(:user) { create(:user) }
-    let(:other_user) { create(:user) }
-    let(:chat_channel) { create(:chat_channel) }
-    let(:chat_channel_membership) do
-      create(:chat_channel_membership, user_id: other_user.id, chat_channel_id: chat_channel.id)
-    end
+    let(:other_user) { build_stubbed(:user) }
+    let(:chat_channel_membership) { build_stubbed(:chat_channel_membership, user: other_user, chat_channel: chat_channel) }
 
     it { is_expected.to forbid_actions(%i[update destroy]) }
   end
diff --git a/spec/policies/chat_channel_policy_spec.rb b/spec/policies/chat_channel_policy_spec.rb
index 076463434..42756d3ba 100644
--- a/spec/policies/chat_channel_policy_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/policies/chat_channel_policy_spec.rb
@@ -1,9 +1,10 @@
 require "rails_helper"
 
-RSpec.describe ChatChannelPolicy do
+RSpec.describe ChatChannelPolicy, type: :policy do
   subject { described_class.new(user, chat_channel) }
 
-  let(:chat_channel) { create(:chat_channel, channel_type: "invite_only") }
+  let(:chat_channel) { build_stubbed(:chat_channel, channel_type: "invite_only") }
+  let(:user)         { build_stubbed(:user) }
 
   context "when user is not signed-in" do
     let(:user) { nil }
@@ -12,24 +13,18 @@ RSpec.describe ChatChannelPolicy do
   end
 
   context "when user is not a part of channel" do
-    let(:user) { build(:user) }
-
     it { is_expected.to permit_actions(%i[index]) }
     it { is_expected.to forbid_actions(%i[show open moderate update]) }
   end
 
   context "when user is a part of channel" do
-    let(:user) { create(:user) }
-
-    before { chat_channel.add_users [user] }
+    before { allow(chat_channel).to receive(:has_member?).with(user).and_return(true) }
 
     it { is_expected.to permit_actions(%i[index show open]) }
     it { is_expected.to forbid_actions(%i[moderate update]) }
   end
 
   context "when user is an admin but not part of channel" do
-    let(:user) { create(:user) }
-
     before { user.add_role(:super_admin) }
 
     it { is_expected.to permit_actions(%i[index moderate update]) }
diff --git a/spec/policies/comment_policy_spec.rb b/spec/policies/comment_policy_spec.rb
index d3a5f2a68..3946a14f4 100644
--- a/spec/policies/comment_policy_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/policies/comment_policy_spec.rb
@@ -1,9 +1,9 @@
 require "rails_helper"
 
-RSpec.describe CommentPolicy do
+RSpec.describe CommentPolicy, type: :policy do
   subject(:comment_policy) { described_class.new(user, comment) }
 
-  let(:comment) { build(:comment) }
+  let(:comment) { build_stubbed(:comment) }
 
   let(:valid_attributes_for_create) do
     %i[body_markdown commentable_id commentable_type parent_id]
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ RSpec.describe CommentPolicy do
   end
 
   context "when user is not the author" do
-    let(:user) { create(:user) }
+    let(:user) { build_stubbed(:user) }
 
     it { is_expected.to permit_actions(%i[create]) }
     it { is_expected.to forbid_actions(%i[edit update destroy delete_confirm]) }
@@ -28,13 +28,13 @@ RSpec.describe CommentPolicy do
     it { is_expected.to permit_mass_assignment_of(valid_attributes_for_create).for_action(:create) }
 
     context "with banned status" do
-      before { user.add_role :banned }
+      before { user.add_role(:banned) }
 
       it { is_expected.to forbid_actions(%i[create edit update destroy delete_confirm]) }
     end
 
     context "with banned_comment status" do
-      before { user.add_role :comment_banned }
+      before { user.add_role(:comment_banned) }
 
       it { is_expected.to forbid_actions(%i[create edit update destroy delete_confirm]) }
     end
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ RSpec.describe CommentPolicy do
     it { is_expected.to permit_mass_assignment_of(valid_attributes_for_update).for_action(:update) }
 
     context "with banned status" do
-      before { user.add_role :banned }
+      before { user.add_role(:banned) }
 
       it { is_expected.to permit_actions(%i[edit update destroy delete_confirm]) }
       it { is_expected.to forbid_actions(%i[create]) }
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ RSpec.describe CommentPolicy do
     end
 
     context "with banned_comment status" do
-      before { user.add_role :comment_banned }
+      before { user.add_role(:comment_banned) }
 
       it { is_expected.to permit_actions(%i[edit update destroy delete_confirm]) }
       it { is_expected.to forbid_actions(%i[create]) }
diff --git a/spec/policies/follow_policy_spec.rb b/spec/policies/follow_policy_spec.rb
index 9dd5c2a7b..01a7fee5e 100644
--- a/spec/policies/follow_policy_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/policies/follow_policy_spec.rb
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 require "rails_helper"
 
-RSpec.describe FollowPolicy do
+RSpec.describe FollowPolicy, type: :policy do
   subject { described_class.new(user, Follow) }
 
   context "when user is not signed in" do
@@ -10,12 +10,12 @@ RSpec.describe FollowPolicy do
   end
 
   context "when user is signed in" do
-    let(:user) { build(:user) }
+    let(:user) { build_stubbed(:user) }
 
     it { is_expected.to permit_actions(%i[create]) }
 
     context "when user is banned" do
-      let(:user) { build(:user, :banned) }
+      before { user.add_role(:banned) }
 
       it { is_expected.to forbid_actions(%i[create]) }
     end
diff --git a/spec/policies/github_repo_policy_spec.rb b/spec/policies/github_repo_policy_spec.rb
index 18b0385b0..a7f887a6a 100644
--- a/spec/policies/github_repo_policy_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/policies/github_repo_policy_spec.rb
@@ -1,9 +1,9 @@
 require "rails_helper"
 
-RSpec.describe GithubRepoPolicy do
+RSpec.describe GithubRepoPolicy, type: :policy do
   subject { described_class.new(user, github_repo) }
 
-  let(:github_repo) { build(:github_repo) }
+  let(:github_repo)      { build_stubbed(:github_repo) }
   let(:valid_attributes) { %i[github_id_code] }
 
   context "when user is not signed in" do
@@ -13,13 +13,13 @@ RSpec.describe GithubRepoPolicy do
   end
 
   context "when user is not the owner" do
-    let(:user) { create(:user) }
+    let(:user) { build_stubbed(:user) }
 
     it { is_expected.to permit_actions(%i[create]) }
     it { is_expected.to forbid_actions(%i[update]) }
 
     context "when user is banned" do
-      let(:user) { build(:user, :banned) }
+      before { user.add_role(:banned) }
 
       it { is_expected.to forbid_actions(%i[create update]) }
     end
diff --git a/spec/policies/html_variant_policy_spec.rb b/spec/policies/html_variant_policy_spec.rb
index d7a2c5eb7..4eb9db5b7 100644
--- a/spec/policies/html_variant_policy_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/policies/html_variant_policy_spec.rb
@@ -1,18 +1,18 @@
 require "rails_helper"
 
-RSpec.describe HtmlVariantPolicy do
+RSpec.describe HtmlVariantPolicy, type: :policy do
   subject { described_class.new(user, html_variant) }
 
   context "when user is not an admin" do
-    let(:user) { build(:user) }
-    let(:html_variant) { build(:html_variant) }
+    let(:user)         { build_stubbed(:user) }
+    let(:html_variant) { build_stubbed(:html_variant) }
 
     it { is_expected.to forbid_actions(%i[index show edit update create]) }
   end
 
   context "when user is an admin" do
-    let(:user) { build(:user, :super_admin) }
-    let(:html_variant) { build(:html_variant) }
+    let(:user)         { build(:user, :super_admin) }
+    let(:html_variant) { build_stubbed(:html_variant) }
 
     it { is_expected.to permit_actions(%i[index show edit update create]) }
   end
diff --git a/spec/policies/image_upload_policy_spec.rb b/spec/policies/image_upload_policy_spec.rb
index ad1bf2ed5..c62bf0fb0 100644
--- a/spec/policies/image_upload_policy_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/policies/image_upload_policy_spec.rb
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 require "rails_helper"
 
-RSpec.describe ImageUploadPolicy do
+RSpec.describe ImageUploadPolicy, type: :policy do
   subject { described_class.new(user, image) }
 
   let(:image) { "📸.jpg" }
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ RSpec.describe ImageUploadPolicy do
   end
 
   context "when user is signed in" do
-    let(:user) { build(:user) }
+    let(:user) { build_stubbed(:user) }
 
     it { is_expected.to permit_actions(%i[create]) }
 
diff --git a/spec/policies/organization_policy_spec.rb b/spec/policies/organization_policy_spec.rb
index e44282399..07fea4b80 100644
--- a/spec/policies/organization_policy_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/policies/organization_policy_spec.rb
@@ -1,9 +1,9 @@
 require "rails_helper"
 
-RSpec.describe OrganizationPolicy do
+RSpec.describe OrganizationPolicy, type: :policy do
   subject(:organization_policy) { described_class.new(user, organization) }
 
-  let(:organization) { build(:organization) }
+  let(:organization) { build_stubbed(:organization) }
 
   context "when user is not signed-in" do
     let(:user) { nil }
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ RSpec.describe OrganizationPolicy do
   end
 
   context "when a non-org user" do
-    let(:user) { build(:user) }
+    let(:user) { build_stubbed(:user) }
 
     it { is_expected.to forbid_action(:update) }
     it { is_expected.to permit_action(:create) }
@@ -27,10 +27,12 @@ RSpec.describe OrganizationPolicy do
   context "when user is an org admin of an org" do
     subject(:organization_policy) { described_class.new(user, org) }
 
-    let(:user) { create(:user) }
-    let(:org)  { create(:organization) }
+    let(:user) { build_stubbed(:user) }
+    let(:org)  { build_stubbed(:organization) }
 
-    before { create(:organization_membership, user: user, organization: org, type_of_user: "admin") }
+    before do
+      create(:organization_membership, user: user, organization: org, type_of_user: "admin")
+    end
 
     it "allows the user to update their own org" do
       expect(organization_policy).to permit_action(:update)
@@ -40,9 +42,9 @@ RSpec.describe OrganizationPolicy do
   context "when user is an org admin of another org" do
     subject(:organization_policy) { described_class.new(user, new_org) }
 
-    let(:user) { create(:user) }
-    let(:org)  { create(:organization) }
-    let(:new_org) { create(:organization) }
+    let(:user) { build_stubbed(:user) }
+    let(:org)  { build_stubbed(:organization) }
+    let(:new_org) { build_stubbed(:organization) }
 
     before { create(:organization_membership, user: user, organization: org, type_of_user: "admin") }
 
diff --git a/spec/policies/reaction_policy_spec.rb b/spec/policies/reaction_policy_spec.rb
index 2c1d80cf8..929c096a3 100644
--- a/spec/policies/reaction_policy_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/policies/reaction_policy_spec.rb
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ require "rails_helper"
 RSpec.describe ReactionPolicy do
   subject { described_class.new(user, reaction) }
 
-  let(:reaction) { build(:reaction) }
+  let(:reaction) { build_stubbed(:reaction) }
 
   context "when user is not signed in" do
     let(:user) { nil }
@@ -12,11 +12,11 @@ RSpec.describe ReactionPolicy do
   end
 
   context "when user is signed in" do
-    let(:user) { build(:user) }
+    let(:user) { build_stubbed(:user) }
 
     it { is_expected.to permit_actions(%i[index create]) }
     context "when user is banned" do
-      let(:user) { build(:user, :banned) }
+      before { user.add_role(:banned) }
 
       it { is_expected.to permit_actions(%i[index]) }
       it { is_expected.to forbid_actions(%i[create]) }
diff --git a/spec/policies/stripe_active_card_policy_spec.rb b/spec/policies/stripe_active_card_policy_spec.rb
index a7b73c095..215106563 100644
--- a/spec/policies/stripe_active_card_policy_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/policies/stripe_active_card_policy_spec.rb
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 require "rails_helper"
 
-RSpec.describe StripeActiveCardPolicy do
+RSpec.describe StripeActiveCardPolicy, type: :policy do
   subject { described_class.new(user, :stripe_subscription) }
 
   context "when user is not signed in" do
diff --git a/spec/policies/stripe_subscription_policy_spec.rb b/spec/policies/stripe_subscription_policy_spec.rb
index 457650ad0..615a4720d 100644
--- a/spec/policies/stripe_subscription_policy_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/policies/stripe_subscription_policy_spec.rb
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 require "rails_helper"
 
-RSpec.describe StripeSubscriptionPolicy do
+RSpec.describe StripeSubscriptionPolicy, type: :policy do
   subject { described_class.new(user, :stripe_subscription) }
 
   context "when user is not signed in" do
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ RSpec.describe StripeSubscriptionPolicy do
   end
 
   context "when user is signed in" do
-    let(:user) { build(:user) }
+    let(:user) { build_stubbed(:user) }
 
     it { is_expected.to permit_actions(%i[create update destroy]) }
 
diff --git a/spec/policies/tag_policy_spec.rb b/spec/policies/tag_policy_spec.rb
index ed298ba7a..a820726ce 100644
--- a/spec/policies/tag_policy_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/policies/tag_policy_spec.rb
@@ -1,9 +1,9 @@
 require "rails_helper"
 
-RSpec.describe TagPolicy do
+RSpec.describe TagPolicy, type: :policy do
   subject { described_class.new(user, tag) }
 
-  let(:tag) { build(:tag) }
+  let(:tag) { build_stubbed(:tag) }
 
   context "when user is not signed-in" do
     let(:user) { nil }
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ RSpec.describe TagPolicy do
   end
 
   context "when user is not a moderator" do
-    let(:user) { build(:user) }
+    let(:user) { build_stubbed(:user) }
 
     it { is_expected.to permit_actions(%i[index]) }
     it { is_expected.to forbid_actions(%i[edit update]) }
diff --git a/spec/policies/user_policy_spec.rb b/spec/policies/user_policy_spec.rb
index 3c4490e5a..e8fa6abe0 100644
--- a/spec/policies/user_policy_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/policies/user_policy_spec.rb
@@ -1,9 +1,9 @@
 require "rails_helper"
 
-RSpec.describe UserPolicy do
+RSpec.describe UserPolicy, type: :policy do
   subject { described_class.new(user, other_user) }
 
-  let(:other_user) { build(:user) }
+  let(:other_user) { build_stubbed(:user) }
 
   context "when user is not signed-in" do
     let(:user) { nil }
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ RSpec.describe UserPolicy do
   end
 
   context "when user is not trusted" do
-    let(:user) { build(:user) }
+    let(:user) { build_stubbed(:user) }
 
     it { is_expected.to forbid_actions(%i[moderation_routes]) }
   end